I live now in a small garage
at times still half again too big.
It's not your style, a bit unkempt;
perhaps a bit too much like me.
Clean dishes jumbled by the sink,
not neatly stacked and filed away.
The desk astrewn with books and bills;
clothes all slag-heaped by the bed.
Makes sense, for I'm the one who left
to you the well-maintained facade
of stockade fence and painted trim
which most would call a happy home.
I left you ten thousand things,
careful not to take too much; but
find myself amazed by all
that moved in which I did not pack.
The touch of legs upon my lap
I found while sitting on the couch.
Your smile was wrapped in Sunday's Times
and wedged in with the bowls and cups.
Your hair blows up against my arm
as I drive with the window down,
and hear you sound asleep beside
me as the droning motor runs.
When our paths crossed tonight, we spoke
a moment, went our separate ways.
Walking past the shut-down shops,
I thought of how we fell apart
and everything that came with me
that I took pains not to include
and smiled to myself, wondering
what I had left for you to find.
Jan 9, 2011
Jan 9, 2011 at 7:31 AM UTC
I live now in a small garage
at times still half again too big.
It's not your style, a bit unkempt;
perhaps a bit too much like me.
Clean dishes jumbled by the sink,
not neatly stacked and filed away.
The desk astrewn with books and bills;
clothes all slag-heaped by the bed.
Makes sense, for I'm the one who left
to you the well-maintained facade
of stockade fence and painted trim
which most would call a happy home.
I left you ten thousand things,
careful not to take too much; but
find myself amazed by all
that moved in which I did not pack.
The touch of legs upon my lap
I found while sitting on the couch.
Your smile was wrapped in Sunday's Times
and wedged in with the bowls and cups.
Your hair blows up against my arm
as I drive with the window down,
and hear you sound asleep beside
me as the droning motor runs.
When our paths crossed tonight, we spoke
a moment, went our separate ways.
Walking past the shut-down shops,
I thought of how we fell apart
and everything that came with me
that I took pains not to include
and smiled to myself, wondering
what I had left for you to find.
(c)2000 Joel M Frye
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