Ladies or girls traditionally keep
A bottom drawer of things they
Put aside aganst the day they wed,
As I understand it mainly linen
But that is just my surmise
And I welcome any edification dear
Hepo community as to what truly does go therein,
But I digress because in many ways I
Have a bottom drawer of my own,
Set within my heart and full
Of my own finest linen and satin,
Or rather that very best of me
That only comes out for the most
Special of guests,
Those who one hopes - expects -
Will avoid spills and jammy finger rubbing
If only because it IS the best....

But every time it seems I lay out my
Best tablecloths and napkins,
Take time to clean the silver canteen
And place the family silver so very carefully,
Set the fine crystal glasses
In order beside the favourite mats and chargers,
The guest or guests,
(For this does not just apply to romantic partners,)
Prove after all to be ill manered,
Disrespectful - rude,
And wreck not just the table setting but in
Your case gouge even the dark beauty
Of my prized and treasured table,
So I have laundered my cloth and ironed it,
Shut away the cutlery in its canteen,
Stowed the crystal
And gently closed the drawer,

Just the every day stuff now,
One Cup
One plate,
One bowl,
One knife one fork one spoon,

One me