https://i.imgsafe.org/71457c85dc.jpg
*Pinched Within Borders* 

---

### Downsizing

She has only one room 
plus a closet and bath.
 
A few dresses hang with
her robes. 

On the sink there are balls
of lavender soap. 

Everything smells of new carpet 
and fresh painted walls, 

bright lemon yellow 
to welcome the sun. 

A painting of where she grew up 
hangs by her Jenny Lind bed. 

A lazy recliner sits next to 
her window. There are birds 

in the maples and people 
parading to cars in the lot. 

She doesn’t expect to have
visitors, except for a sister
 
she would rather 
not bother.
 
In an hour the dining hall 
will serve up a family style meal. 

Until then she digs in a shoe box 
that’s been sealed shut for years,
 
reads notes from a boy 
she left at the altar, 

written when
they were in high school 

and bundled 
with brittle rubber bands.

---

### Thank you for supporting my work. 

*   FOLLOW ME @beginningtoend
*   Comment and I will try to reply.
*   Visit my website [GOO FOO](http://dalepattersonart.com/).

https://i.imgsafe.org/083eaba7ce.jpg

### Writing and art are my own.