5

From seafoam green to cornflower blue


The layers peeling away 
at the back of the closet

clear bags over dresses 
no one alive has ever seen her wear

a box of mothballs a sheaf of paper
-covered hangers from the dry cleaners 

a hat with a jewel and netting veil
no canned tomatoes but every costume preserved

In the kitchen two rooms away the clatter 
of dishes some women talking 

the perking sound of the coffee put back on
the vague late light of afternoon scattered

over formica counters streaking the bureau
and its mirror discomfited beside the couch

What can we say? She loved stuffing drawers 
dozens lulled full in every room

drawers with more little boxes of drawers inside
even out into the garage where his were filled

with nails and tackle the scrap wood chunks
he used to make the shingled martin houses

from leftovers of the house white housepaint 
and green trim a pair of miniature shutters

A jar on a shelf contained his last good laugh 
caught when he’d found her hands & knees
 
painting instead of putting up new wallpaper
every ditsy little flower in its pattern

from seafoam green to cornflower blue

*on day 6