Drama-free Digs

Suddenly, while thinking of a bed,
it came to her. A bed, of all things.
Not her own, not theirs,
but one in which she'd never slept -
on sale, according to the person who
had told her of the purchase.
All at once, no longer wondered she
about this place that seemed so pleasant.
It had no history, that was it! No arguments
or makeup sex, neither fond nor bitter
memories, just being there was free of drama;
this alone was worth a smile. The thought
came brightly as if backlit by the sun behind it,
dancing on the water. Although the concept
might be borrowed from the Helprin novel
she laid down beside the bathtub, stepping out
and drying off, the revelation was at once,
forever, only hers, as nakedly apparent
as her form reflected in the mirror.
The figure there returned her grin
as twins compared the lightness
of their refreshing and respective moods.

(c) Ellen Gillette, 2013


A woman I know is living in a new place, and ponders why, although it is not what she ever thought she would enjoy, she does. Sometimes we love a home because of the memories, sometimes in spite of them, but she discovered that it was the very absence of memories she was finding delightful and unique.