OH RED VELVET HEART SHAPED BOX—AN ODE TO TIME

OH RED VELVET HEART SHAPED BOX—AN ODE TO TIME

Oh, red velvet heart shaped box, hiding—cornered

in the linen closet. Your silenced whisperings

resemble faded lipstick, retelling secret stories

between time-worn red satin sheets, lying under

an emptied heart. Exposed dusty waterbed memories,

tidal waves roar in the glowing spotlight of discovery.

Oh, red velvet heart shaped box, aroma—past flavors

savored in chocolate covered coconut—exotic

dreams, traveler in timeless adventures—recall

giggling fun. Balancing your velvet lid at an eye

covering angle, searching for silk ribbons, tying

into bows beneath a smile—royalty at a wedding.

Oh, red velvet heart shaped box, memories—hold

pressed roses, petals curled, giving a crisp note

time is a parade of days orbiting the sun, moon

phases. Quarter-century older, recall slick satin

sheets rolling a sea of change, waving a

waterbed trap; emptied shell. Presto—queen box-springs.

Oh, red velvet heart shaped box, card—signed

an eternity ago, feeling like yesterday. Childlike

excitement seeing a special signature. Oh,

first grade Valentine’s Day secret crush, hand cards

to classroom friends—pictured apple for teacher.

Valentine memories, a petrified forest of time.

April Ryan is a retired Seattle bus driver and poet alchemist.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

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