These mute artifacts of my parents’ life
have found a home in my home, silently
judging me. I avert my eyes, move quickly
past on my way from room to room. Why
are they here? I should have sold it all,
removed these reminders of what I did not
do, could not do. A cabinet, photos, a salt
box and paintings, movies. Quilts and guilt:
an overstuffed chair.
What’s Left
Carlene M. Gadapee lives in northern New Hampshire where she teaches English and is the Associate Creative Director for The Frost Place Studio Sessions. Her work has been published by Waterwheel Review, Smoky Quartz, Margate Bookie, bloodroot, Wild Words, and elsewhere. Carlene resides with her husband in Littleton.