I cleaned out an old drawer
of odds and ends.
paperclips and the door to a battery case on some remote
an orange candle stub, from Halloween I think
batteries and four flashlights, though only one worked
and parts of things I'm sure made sense to keep at the time
I have no idea what they are now
I cleaned out an old drawer
of things forgotten
my daughter's picture in a setting unknown
a letter of gratitude from a friend, for what?
a postcard from Barcelona
graduation announcements for a friend's child
I don't think I sent a gift
I cleaned out an old drawer
of memories and my past
a ticket stub from an evening with Isabel
a newspaper clipping of my son in scouts
old mother's day cards from the kids
New York City subway map from October 2001
Memories of adventure and affection
I cleaned out an old drawer
and sorted, discarded and remembered
batteries went together in a small box
old fortune cookie notes in the trash
memories dusted off and replaced
out of the drawer and back into my heart
My life has cabinet drawers
stuffed with junk and trash mixed with treasures and tools
I think I'll clean my cabinet more often
To organize things that I've needed
like my mom and dads enduring affection
kind and playful friends'
Throw away useless things
like anger, resentment, and regret
to make room for treasures
And to be reminded of what has been
a real childhood of play and discovery
magical children and the wonder of them
my beloved's steadfast love and respect
I cleaned out an old drawer
and found some peace.