Yard Sale

Packing up and shipping out
when a shopper’s gust
browses through - riffling
papers and seeking small bargains.

“Well, look at this, do you believe it!”
You can have this obsession
for pennies on the dollar -
it’s a giveaway,
even though it’s a bit threadbare.
Oh, it’s still got some mileage yet,
but I’m finished with it now.

A collection of pretty paper fans,
spread out fictions of self-deception;
now transparent and crumbling -
full of ghosts fleeing. Scuttling
like Madagascar roaches.

Here’s some old attitudes -
arrogance and spite,
cold suit of armor built of pride;
self-effacement and shame -
been gathering dust in the corner;
take them - Hey! I’ll pay you.

I’m slashing prices and
paring down the spirit,
raking through
the daily departures.
Don’t need a suitcase
or a steamer trunk;
what’s of value
I carry in my heart.


© 2000 Melissa Songer