Poetry | Reflection | Psychology

All of the Above

A free verse poem

Photo by Brunno Tozzo on Unsplash

For want of a better place, I bundle awkward memories
to the back of my mind.

No — further: up above my eye sockets to the brain’s loft,
the way of second-choice ornaments
and chipped childhood experiences.

I’m bad, anyway,
for keeping a thing because it once had a purpose
or because it has nowhere else to go.

Above the cracking layer of paint,
the skimmed plasterboard, the beams,
lie brooding boxes with a layer or two of dust.

Now the dark clutter space is being probed;
spider questions scritch through the stagnant files
and sunshine poles of doubt raise tiny particles
which tickle my conscience.

I need more time! I must examine each trinket,
each toy for an honest answer, then squirm back down
complaining that it’s hard to remember precisely.

In the end I’ll clear out that creaking attic, but I fear
that it will mean less space below
for the masks you’ve come to know.

Thanks for reading my poem. I’m always interested to hear what people think, so comment away! You can find a list with more of my poetry here.