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**

[Rachelle]

The battle, as pressured and mandated by consumerism and capitalism, to purge out the old in order to procure the modern and trendy that we now cannot live without but was able to do so before when the object and concept were non-existent.... We pack away knowing that an object can still live its function at some future need but stare guiltily as the pile grows higher as yet modern capitalism dictates the image of efficiency as one who embraces the new and chucks out the old.

[Lydia Shutter]

That is so true. When I was young, everything was fixed, not thrown out. Now we tend to throw out and buy new before trying to fix the old. A statement about who we have become really. Thank you for the review. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

Maybe we learn more from those unwanted but kept pieces than we learn for the over.valued!? Everything has a value, if that's what you want in life. But then, value is much over.rated, its simplicity and the mundane that endures because it is.. just old.fashioned is. Bit like a quiet friend who's always there, whatever.. and anyway, old emery boards seem to last forever if one treats them gently! You write with thoughts that nudge a reader into thinking bout each line, each meaning. In other words you prompt thought, gently. Thank you so much, Lydi. xx

[Lydia Shutter]

I'm so pleased you got something out of my words, Emma. Thank you for telling me. Lydi**

[emmajoy]

Lydi, i do apologise, think my fingers (and brain were playing tricks when i left this, made quite a few typos or omissions, so sorry. x

[Lydia Shutter]

There is no red pen here.....I retired it years ago, Emma. I appreciated every word of what you told me.

[emmajoy]

What a lovely person you are, you should be in the diplomatic service. :) x

[Lydia Shutter]

:) I have been involved in politics most of my life, sweet Emma. No worries.

[emmajoy]

:) + a few more smiling characters.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

A lovely poignant piece of reminiscence. My dad had drawers like that, full of bits and pieces of life. I guess I do too. Nice piece

[Lydia Shutter]

I think it was more a "thing" for those who went through hard times and knew the value of everything....even a pen that would not write! Thanks for the review, John. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow this is moving...
going through old drawers finding things that our parents used to use...now they are odds and ends that we just don't want to throw out.

it is part of them, and they were so much part of us.

nicely done, Lydi.

jacob

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Jacob. Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

Not your useful style. I really liked this slice of life piece where meaning is found in the ordinary and everyday, really where most of it should be found. Loved how you brought this piece around. It was really well told and balance. I don't celebrate chanukah, but I hope I can wish you a wonderful one all the same.

[Lydia Shutter]

I suppose it is a little long winded for me. It was written a few years ago actually.....but it just fits my mood now. Thanks for the warm wishes, Pryde. Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

Not long winded just different looking for you

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks for noticing! :)

[Sheila Kline]

Thank you for sharing the beautiful and personal memories of your mom and dad! And may you have a happy festival of lights as well! May we in each faith extend hands of peace and understanding during this time of holiness! May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be with you sweet Lydi!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Sheila. I appreciate the warm thoughts you left for me. Lydi**

[Rita L. Sev]

First, I have to say that our "everything" drawers look the same... Lydi, 'someday' comes and goes, and comes again. Sometimes we are blessed with the insight to recognize it - and what a blessing it is. I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very happy Chanukah.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Rita. May you have many blessings on Thanksgiving and always. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

Happy Chanukah to you and yours. May God light up our hearts and find peace where needed in the Holy land between our faiths and all over the world where conflicts exist...Shalom and salam...:)..........

[Lydia Shutter]

(((Sami))) thank you my friend. I appreciate your kind words. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure. May you be blessed...:)..............

[Rita L. Sev]

Amen to that, Sami... and may I add 'Pax vobiscum' (peace be with you)...

[Lydia Shutter]

You are both so kind!

[Sami Khalil]

So true. Salmo Aleikum ( peace be with you ) wa aleikum al salam( and peace be with you too)
Thank you for sharing...:)................