Baggage

Some people carry baggage all their lives,
stubborn remnants from the issues they've
survived, or mostly not. Others have forgotten
or at least have tried to leave it in the past,
history that they periodically review,
protection from repeating same mistakes again.
Even if the luggage is pricey, fashioned by
a craftsman, finest leather polished to a
mirrored finish, no one's strong enough
to haul it to the future. Instead, they're stuck
there in the past surrounded by valises
filled with pain, regret. Just leave it there
to mold and dust mites; some things should
decay. Take a picture if you have to, write
it down, but leave it there to rot before you
find yourself succumbing to the weight.


(c) Ellen Gillette, 2014