Christine Ray – What’s in the box?
the past sits
in front of me
an old, battered trunk
that I drag reluctantly
with me
from place to place
I keep it
in the attic
like the unwanted
baggage
that it is
covered in cobwebs
it is dusty
makes me sneeze
multiple padlocks
and straps
keep the lid
securely in place
opening this trunk
requires preparation
I like to have
a chair and a
lion tamer’s whip
nearby
just in case
a butterfly net
a lidded glass jar
studded with carefully
poked holes
are also helpful
you never know
what might try
to escape
the key ring is large
jangling with skeleton keys
for outer and inner locks
other locked boxes
nestle inside the trunk
where my history lies
neatly separated
there are times
when the past
does not want to stay
in just one box
or another
I cut these into pieces
dispassionately
and divide them
I am…
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