There is a box
in your basement or attic
(or in last week’s trash)
overfilled with letters that I’d written
too you and about us
and these memories and poems
and prayers
are one half of our written history.
Beneath my bed is a similar box
filled with your writing
and lip prints and smells
(I keep the box closed to hold them in)
detailing what then was love but now are lies
although I know that you meant it all
then.
And since history is written by the winner
(or so I’ve been told)
and you left and I’m here
and alone
I am on the losing end
but the box beneath me
will continue to hold me up
because in actuality I am victorious
for having been given you
for a period of time that is vivid now
(but will fade over time).
And just as the memories begin to lilt
the box will come out and the lid will be opened
and the words and lips and perfumed pages
will become you twisted with me and I hope
you will be aware of me then.
–
©Steven Harz, 2012
–
From my book “Songs you can’t dance to” – available at Amazon:
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