I'm Cleaning the Garage

I'm cleaning the garage this weekend

putting memories and forgotten dreams
in boxes marked with bittersweet longing
wrapped in plain brown sheeting
tied and knotted
captured, boxed
hidden from discovery

'looking forward to seeing you, pretty lady'

reliving quiet moments of iced tea and ecstasy
now placed in proper perspective
packages, tied and knotted
puzzle-pieced in interlocking time frames
each imagines being
the central piece
to make the picture whole

a whole
with finished edges
no wanting places or ragged spaces
searching for the last clue

will you be happy with her
on those endless autumn evenings
remembering the desert heat
pulses full, slippery
beaded sweat
caressing an open mouth

I have given all the memories away
the boxes are dumped
the magic drained, the twine unraveled
the ancient wrappings no longer sacred
the room is cleared, fresh swept clean
I wash my hands