the ornaments came off
like for like and were piled up
in a tidy semicircle on the carpet
around the Christmas tree
the trunk grew looser and looser
as Tom unscrewed each bolt
holding the trunk
holding the trunk
"I'll find a sheet so we can pull the tree to the back door"
because of the needles
needlesneedlesneedlesneedles
the needles
feet flew
linen closet doors opened
eyes scanned the shelves
blue flowers were up front
hands grabbed
but my mind remembered...
the sunny blue bedroom in the front-right
of the ranch on Dearborn
the green furniture
the shag carpet
the soft blue flower sheets
on the guest bed
at Grandma and Grandpa's house
the sheets still folded ever so neatly
now upstairs at my house
my grown-up house
I buried my face
and I was there again, little
following around Grandma
standing in the tiny pantry tucked off the kitchen
opening the freezer for an afternoon treat
they haven't lived on Dearborn for 20 years...
I unfolded the fitted sheet just a bit more
Write on,
b
What a beautiful poem! Such unexpected and touching memories...and all from a sheet. I love the small details of the shag carpet and blue flowers.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful! Love the memories you shared- it created a wonderful endearing picture of your childhood.
ReplyDeleteIdeas exist in things they say. Well so do memories and you have cleverly linked actions of the present with memories of the past.Your poem weaves strong visual images of past and present. Thank you for reader insights.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful memory and delightful poem! ~JudyK
ReplyDelete