I was never allowed to look in it.
It was always locked;
Though she would fiddle with its catches
And rusty leather suitcase hinges.
One day when she was out,
Shopping for a new handbag in the Easter sales,
I crept into the wardrobe where she
Hid it beneath shoeboxes.
Through the open window, I could
Hear the children in the school playground
Screeching and laughing. My heart thumped.
I felt the weight and shook it
Hungry for clues.
I began to prize the lock with a coathanger
Then the lock clicked open. I’d nailed it!
Lifting the lid I peered in.
It is human nature.
It is the way of hearts.
Even if it hurts.
Comments
insertponceyfre... | April 22, 2010 - 04:29
I know ambiguity is meant to be a good thing - I like that it's not totally clear at the start what the relationship is between the person with the suitcase and the narrator. I do wish you'd said what was inside though!
prettypolly | April 22, 2010 - 11:23
Pandora's Box, isn't it?
shoe | April 22, 2010 - 12:16
I really like this, especially the last verse, for me it changed the nature of the poem.
tcook | April 22, 2010 - 16:55
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Highhat | April 22, 2010 - 19:52
I was gaping when you opened the box and. . thank you for the experience. Well earned cherry
harveyjoseph | April 22, 2010 - 22:39
Thanks so much. I really appreciate the feedback. I think you are right about the ending. It does shift the tone.