The Old Wardrobe

Those old dresses…
what you once wore and how you wore them, how you fit into things, the way they felt. There was the comfortable one and the one you had to wear on certain, special occasions. Now, just familiar strangers.
That old blouse that used to be your favorite, cream colored but had that small speck, a stain you hid under a button, a brooch, or a sweater. If it was noticed, you had a few stories prepared. You had to have reasons ready.
There’s the old coat with that inner lining you replaced, hemmed twice, but it kept fraying. It had such raw edges like a fringe. If the weather warmed, you had to carry it on your arm and it became a small burden. On those days, you asked yourself why you brought it in the first place. It was like two dresses sewn together when you only paid for one.
On the bottom shelf of the old wardrobe, there's a newspaper lining. It's torn and faded, the type nearly gone. Within its mess of creases, folds, and holes you barely make out a number followed by the words killed in action. As you decide which clothes to keep and which ones to discard, you think about lining the bottom shelf with something different, something without ink…
this time.

Photo by me.
Fediverse Reactions

18 responses to “The Old Wardrobe”

  1. Hirumei Avatar
    Hirumei

    nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks Hirumei

      Liked by 1 person

  2. joyindestructible Avatar
    joyindestructible

    ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Sambuca (✿◠‿◠) Avatar
    Sambuca (✿◠‿◠)

    I love it -absolutely ❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thank you!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. bramseyer Avatar
    bramseyer

    Every drawer a time capsule. Sometimes I clean them out. Most of the time I put it all back unable to do the emotional work to decide which memories I can cast away because I did not think of the items for twenty years until I opened the drawer and if I throw them out I know I won’t remember next time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Yes, that’s the surface of the poem.

      Like

  5. Marie-Gaye Barton Avatar
    Marie-Gaye Barton

    Powerful words richly expressed in a just a few paragraphs. What more is there to be said? I can identify with those old clothes and the stories they conjure up. Excellent as usual.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks Marie-Gaye

      Liked by 1 person

  6. joyindestructible Avatar
    joyindestructible

    The emptiness of loss…beautifully expressed

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Covert Novelist Avatar
    Covert Novelist

    delightful…because we all have that one if not more items that conjure up moments memories we aren’t ready to let go of… really enjoyed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks!

      Like

  8. khalifa Art Avatar
    khalifa Art

    perfectly written

    Like

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Dawn Pisturino Avatar
    Dawn Pisturino

    Moving.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. T. Ahzio Avatar
      T. Ahzio

      Thanks!

      Like

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