The room I call a closet—
bulging crowded stacked—
in places near the ceiling—
holding your supplies for sewing
quilting beading tinwork knitting
photography and more—
this room could stand for us—
for you the restless doer—
drawers and shelves and bins
for tools supplies and books
that you like near—
and me compulsive cleaner—
with my preference for order
weekly pushing vacuum
through the narrow path that's left
between the clutter on its floor.
And it could stand for something else—
the much of what you mean to me
(as it comes to me this morning) —
the countless moments shared
which only mind, not space, could store
your generous and unbent heart
your honesty concerns accomplishments
(which make me proud of you)
the fun the places pleasures
that your freer self has led me to
and not the least—
the debt I've come to know
for what you've done in shaping me—
that makes me better than I was
when we began those years ago.
It could almost stand—
for stuffed unto its uttermost
with the sum of what I know and feel—
this closet room could never hold enough—
a warehouse would be better still.
which only mind, not space, could store - I love that line and the whole poem.
thanks, todd! good to meet you here at ph. for my part i'm glad the idea came to write this poem to and for my wife. -glen
Hey Glen! What a wonderful tribute to your wife and interesting reflection on your life together. Clever to use that room as a symbol of your different personalities and your relationship. Nice one. Laurie
thank you, laurie! this was another poem with ideas that were waiting for a container- which was years in the making. glad you like it. appreciatively, glen
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Have happened upon your poetry by chance … this is beautiful and I want to use it at my grandson's wedding this week.
Cool! Don’t believe I’ve seen your name before here in PH, Pauline, so—good to meet you. Thank you for reading and commenting and bringing me back to revisiting this poem which I myself have not read in a while. BTW, nearly all my poems in PH with Home Poem included in the titles are a celebration of marriage. -Glen