I had hopes and dreams.
I buried them.

I had wants and needs.
I buried them.

I had yearnings and aspirations.
I buried them.

I buried them all.

They were buried for lack of confidence.
They were buried in fear.
They were buried in disappointment.
They were buried in anger.
They were buried in sadness.

They were buried in piles of papers, books, old clothing, and all manner of detritus
that became life.
They were buried in the cellar with dried up paint, ice skates of rotted leather, and cobwebs.
They were buried in the attic along with baby clothes that held memories, old toys no longer               bringing joy to young faces, and discarded furniture.
They were buried in the garage with plastic sleds, tattered lawn chairs, and unused tools.

They were mine, and I buried them all.

Copyright February 19, 2022 Sandra Grafius