Thursday, December 27, 2012

The Day After Christmas

I spent half an hour in the garage this afternoon,
Breaking down boxes from yesterday's Christmas.
I remembered the joy of each unwrapping,
As corrugated cardboard collapsed and snapped in two.
My heart, unguarded after the high-spirited holiday,
Broke more easily than usual today.

Styrofoam planks cracked with a pop
That echoed like gunfire.
White pellets stuck to my clothes.

You carefully opened the door from the laundry,
And helped me fill plastic trash bags with debris.
As you tenderly brushed Styrofoam snowflakes
From my black jeans,
I knew I would be alright.

Then we swept up shards of cardboard
Until the floor was as clean
As the day we moved in.



6 comments:

Bindu said...

Nice one Judith. Day after Christmas is really a cleaning day

kim vallen said...

Love reading what you write! Bless you! Kim

Judith C Evans said...

Thank you, Bindu and Kim, for reading and commenting. Happy New Year to both of you!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Judith, that is so true. Your description creates a wonderful visual, filed with emotion. The let down after the holiday rush can be devastating. Glad you have John to help erase the emotions. Very well done.

Margie said...

Judith, been a long time since I visited you.
I've been away from blogging and I see you are too.
Hope all is well.
Sending my best wishes to you.

Very nice poem, very poignant
Thank you!

Judith C Evans said...

Hi Margie, so nice to hear from you! I haven't written much poetry lately but have been buy with other writing ventures. Thank you for visiting and commenting on my poems. All is well here, and I hope you are well, too!