Halsted's Housewares

Halsted’s Housewares*

By Rose Drew

My friend is moving

and has failed to pack up her man

I have suggested a large box

hopefully with holes

maybe some paper lining

She is despondently plagued

by guilt

and has shouted at herself

for pages of dark dramatic print

If she were to take him

she’d need to crack the windows

at rest stops

or else act surprised

when she opens

the well-taped box

But my friend is moving and

has failed to pack her man

leaving him discarded amongst

the mismatched plates, chipped creamers

and excesses of linen tablecloths

She remains ambivalently plagued

by guilt, but will

need to shut off the gas and electricity

before the meter readers return.

She has shouted at herself for pages,

of dark dramatic print,

and is delighted to find her work applauded

at her many many readings.

My friend is moving.

I will miss her company.

*Halsted is a Connecticut poet, featured in

. A sample poem may be found

--egh