The Cupboard

There once was a tiny cupboard, and

We kept our groceries there,

Just enough room for two to squeeze

Inside, and under the stair,

And Karen would beckon me go to her

With just an arch of her brow,

She wouldn’t take no for an answer, but

Would say, ‘Just come to me now.’

Then I would go in and close the door

And feel her close in the gloom,

Her skirt would rustle, I’d feel her thighs

And would smell her sweet perfume,

She had such a sense of urgency

When she pulled me down to her breast,

But I would be telling old secrets to

Reveal what’s happening next.

So that was a million years ago,

It seemed the beginning of time,

When we were young, and I’d taste her tongue

Sweeter than strawberry wine,

Those nights were the nights of passion, but

Then nothing could really compare,

With the times when Karen called to me

To meet her under the stair.

But the years unfolded fatefully,

And Karen began to stray,

Her eyes that once had been more than wise

Would seem to have gone away,

She’d stare out into the distance to

Some place that I’d never been,

And when I’d ask her just where she went

She’d mutter, ‘What do you mean?’

I found her wandering down the road

Just down from St. Michael’s dome,

She looked at me, most piteously,

‘I don’t know how to get home.’

I took her hand and I led her back

Through the early morning frost,

And when we got to our gate, she said,

‘Oh God, I seem to be lost.’

The days ahead were a nightmare, she’d

Forget where she’d put the pans,

Then look at me like a stranger, when

I’d reach, and hold her hands,

But worst of all, she would spring my tears

When she stood by the cupboard stair,

And say, ‘I seem to remember, but

Just what did we do in there?’

David Lewis Paget

Author's Note

My 1300th Poem since 1966.

Reviews

[Ellen Hammond]

Wow! What an awesome gift to the world...1300 poems written with your flare for bringing tales to life in rhyme with a twist at the end. You have a talent I truly admire and appreciate. I'm pretty sure I would recognize your work anywhere. This poem brings tears to my eyes but I still enjoyed reading it.

[TPK Stories]

Wow! 1300 poems written! My you've been busy!

[T.S. Sky]

Wow wow wow again great writing!

[Coyote Poetry]

A amazing story. Losing place and memory. Scary place to be. Always a pleasure to read your story and words.
Coyote

[Black Ocean]

I've just got to say that you inspire me. The way you write, its lyrical. As i read it in my head, the rhyme just flowed in this wave like motion. Yet your words cut deep with emotions. Thank you for writing poems since 1966

[Jesse-Lee Powell]

This is so beautiful and heartbreaking. I won't go into my life's story here; but this effected me in such a deeply personal way. I know many people probably were effected by your words as well. The honesty, love and acceptance of growing old with someone, it's just a beautiful piece of work.

[Tony Jordan]

David your canon is beyond inspirational. I always look forward to reading your poems as do many others.
I'm gonna raise three cheers for a leading light of the WC
Hip Hip - Horaay
Hip Hip - Horaay
Hip Hip - Horaay

Oi! - nobody told you to rest - get working on 3001 *wink*

[Robert Haigh]

Oh, and congratulations on reaching the 1300th poem milestone, David! I know several poets who have knocked out several thousand poems, but none of them have been as consistent, quality-wise, as you have! A fine achievement!

[Robert Haigh]

So sad! A compelling tale (as ever, with your writes) and quite touching.

[Valentine]

Besides the intimacy, the mind disappearing is getting more and more frequent these days. To many sprays on the crops some say. Another awesome write. Valentine