Clean
slate
for the new year
but
smudges remain, traces linger
I
trip over baggage
chunked
in the spare room
compartmentalized
in the brain
nudged
into view by a comment,
an
email, or even a song
old
friends remember
relatives
rehash
laughter
muffled as you enter
shush
exclaimed as you leave
sideways
glances, furrowed brow
keep
wiping, make amends
face
the year
without
d
r
e
a
d
