Final Bonfire
Hoarder as well as Hermit.
What to do with all
this paper, filled
with words and images?
Two huge metal filing
cabinets, dark brown for words
beige for images.
Top shelf of forever
opened closet doors, holds
cardboard storage boxes
filled with hand-made
chapbooks, and copies
of self-published
writer’s zine, an idea
that flew for a while
years ago.
In storage closet
off dining room, years
of hand written journal
pages kept in stationery
boxes, someone gave
as a gift, now fill shelves
of small wooden book case.
There’s more, but the thought
makes one tired. Have considered
calling a mortuary, see what kind
of deal could be had for cremation,
if one supplied the fuel.
Elizabeth Crawford 4/16/2018
Note: Bonfire photograph taken in sister’s backyard, later used for kaleidoscope images on yet, more paper.
Posted at Waiting on Words: word for day 16 paper.
https://claudetteellinger.wordpress.com/
Soul's Music 
Sad to say, sometimes it seems it is all paper is good for….I liked it for sure!!
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It would be nice if we had family members who would preserve our writing. I have visions of my life’s work going to the landfill.
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love the wry ending Elizabeth to this collection of thinkings out loud – the piling up of papers feels both claustrophobic and treasured – interesting mix!
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Your poem got me thinking. I feel like I’m drowning in paper: old poems, old recipes, old photos. They’re taking up too much space in my life but how do I manage to let them go? No one cares about any of it but me. Cremation is an interesting choice!
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Elizabeth,
I can only imagine that you have a treasure trove of wonderful words and images.
Love,
Pamela
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