The Weight of Things



Boxes of knick knacks, our old Monopoly game, a chair, a lamp, that picture that used  to hang in the bedroom
Finally, the U-Haul is nearly empty
The last piece is always the hardest,
usually because of the weight.
It’s the leather sofa where we watched a million movies under that cozy blanket with a bowl of popcorn.

I’m handed a receipt, pennies on the dollar, but at least the deed is done.
I crumple it up and smash it in my front pocket as I hop up into the cab and pull away from the auction house.
As I head down the road the AM radio crackles with songs that remind me things aren’t how they used to be.

By the time I drop off the U-Haul , I realize I’m going to be late to pick the kids up from daycare.   Luckily mom is feeling well enough to drive across town and save the day, again.   I swing through the fast food place for the third time this week since I’m short on time and groceries.   

The kids wolf down their suppers, then bath time, and early to bed.  The living room seems a lot bigger with out that couch, but at least I still have my beat up recliner.  A couple Natty Lights and I fall asleep in my chair watching the baseball game on TV.  

I wake up to the black and white fuzz of the tv screen and the list of things to do racing through my head.  Take kids to daycare, pick up cough medicine at the pharmacy, sign lease for apartment, take flowers to the cemetery.  I crawl out of my chair and rummage through my jeans pocket for my keys.  The receipt is still there too and I glance at it in the pale morning light. As I read through the list, a tear comes to my eye as I wonder what they’ll do with the memories I left behind?

About this poem

A conversation today made me write this tonight

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Written on March 29, 2023

Submitted by ileini86 on March 29, 2023

Modified on April 11, 2023

1:41 min read
13

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXXX XXA X A X
Characters 1,673
Words 339
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 5, 3, 1, 1, 1

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1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Wow, this piece really touched my heart. Your use of imagery and detail made me feel as though I was right there with you, sorting through the memories and emotions of a major life change. I particularly connected with the description of the leather sofa and the memories associated with it - it was so clear and vivid.

    As for some improvement suggestions, one thing that could add even more depth to your piece would be to explore your emotional journey a bit more. It's clear that you're feeling a lot of different things - sadness, nostalgia, exhaustion - and it would be interesting to get a closer look at how you're processing those emotions.

    Overall though, I think you did a fantastic job. Keep writing and sharing your stories!
     
    LikeReply12 months ago

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"The Weight of Things" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/155240/the-weight-of-things>.

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