someday

thinking of my mom and dad tonight.

searching the “everything” drawer
venturing through
the place where
elastic bands become one
with bent paperclips
disregarding scornful scowls
from out-of-ink ballpoint pens

the coupon graveyard
where expiration dates mingle
with last year’s pocket calendar
and unemployed keys
so sad they’ve no locks to open
clink out the blues
with a tile from two houses ago

i smile
a memory of you
propels a happy tear
down my cheek
“can’t throw a thing out
never know
it might come in handy
someday“

untangling an errant
matchbook cover
from the clutches
of a clothespin
i try to
smooth out the rough edges
of my life with
your broken emery board
wondering if
someday
really is today

Author's Note

tomorrow night is the first night of chanukah. for those who celebrate, i wish you a happy festival of lights.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

Lydi... My drawer of feathers from
Angel wings left in dreams of loved
ones who visited me ... Beautiful petals
from flowers left... bring comfort. They
are surrounded by everyday things...
lost but found. Your poetry is reality
with a touch of mystery. truly... Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much for stopping by, Pat. Always a pleasure to read your thoughts. Lydi**

[Vidya Bacchus]

Your poetry is most touching,sometimes we keep things always certain that we will have use for them sometime or the other but this is a desire we have to keep things the same as long as we can, change is very hard.You have portrayed this brilliantly lydi!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Vidya. Lydi**

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are most welcome.

[Ed Hart]

my grandfather taught me about saving things, and the clutter trails across my workbench, and fairly defines my nooks and crannies...funny how we inherited our attitudes, as well as our bones...this is a lovely piece Lydia

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Ed. Yes, we do repeat the actions we saw as children. No doubt about it. Lydi**

[wordman]

memories pressed through the pages of my mind
and the crazy things that bring them to mind match book covers broken pens
love the poem lydi and the message it brought hope you had a special thanksgiving

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Ron. Lydi**

[Tom]

It is touching how the everyday simple things in the family home remind us of our loved ones, especially the bits & pieces that escaped the rubbish bin of then and were stashed away in a drawer or cupboard and now years later, this memorabilia has attained a surreal sense of personal value!

A reflective, reverie!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Tom. Lydi**

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This poem actually made me tear up for reasons of my own. Suffice it to say, if you have such a drawer with tangible items to look back upon, you are very blessed. In the case of my mother, I have no personal effects, just memories better left unknown. In the case of my father, I have neither.

I'm also the type of person who is quick to throw away things that I don't use, probably because I don't want them to serve as unhappy reminders of what I do not have.

The "broken emery board" really got me.

[Lydia Shutter]

I'm sorry you do not have such remembrances. Thank you for your warm review. It means a lot to me. Lydi**

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

It's my life; it's okay. :-) I'm just happy for you. You're very welcome.

[Diana]

Beautifully rendered point. Today is the only "someday" we really have. Thank you for sharing, Lydi.

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, Diana. Thank you once again. Lydi**

[Lydia Shutter]

So very heartfelt Lydi... those memories you have are felt, you brought me back to history, and the pain of missing them, may you enjoy the festival of 8 days... it are 8 days right? beautiful writing my sweet friend, this one gave me goosebumps.... Thanks Lydi.

- Elisa

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, eight nights.....you are right, Elisa. Thank you for the lovely review. Knuffels, Lydi**

You're very welcome my friend... knuffels terug! x

[Firestone Feinberg]

This is terrific. I love it! David

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, David. Lydi**

[icelandicblue]

I felt this one Lydi. It's so poignant. You brought the reader with you, we saw what you showed us, and it evoked great emotion in me. We find our loved ones in those simple things, those tangible moments echo along with us through life. Happy Chanukah (Chag Sameach!) to you and yours.

[Lydia Shutter]

Chag Semeach! Thank you for this lovely review, Blue. And have a Happy Thanksgiving too! Lydi**