Judith Mensch

 

 

Assessment

 

I am as mundane as I ever was

as lonely

as un-full of meaning

 

the sky is just as empty

the rain still ridicules my tears

the longing runs just as deep

in my veins as it did at first

 

my sighs still laugh at me

echoing the heavens’ assessment

and I remain with fears,

with holes, with shame

my life trailing off into the sunset

my life trailing off

 

 

I Closed Up the Summer Porch Today

 

I closed up the summer porch today

- stored the cushions

- brought in the plants

- sorted through the magazines

(I found that recipe for streusel

you said I ought to try)

I said good-bye to summer.

 

Remember those long evenings?

You’d listen to the ballgame on the radio

I’d do my stitching and send my thoughts

Somewhere else. I cared too much, you see,

For the home team.

When they didn’t win, I felt shame (just

As the song says I should).

Still, I was always a little sad when the season was over,

And it was time to come in,

Although when it rained we stayed inside

(“That porch was meant for sunshine,” we’d say).

 

These days I store pop out there

To keep it cool for Thanksgiving afternoon treats, you see

When more is needed, one of us retrieves it

Quickly, for it is like alien territory

Out there that smells different in the winter

And we are always in a hurry to return to the warmth.

 

Well, anyway, I closed up the summer porch today

- put away the radio

- covered the furniture

- pulled the blinds

and the door behind me

making my life smaller, tighter, limited.

I closed up the summer porch today

I said good-bye.

 

 

Judith Mensch © 2011