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Beyond Bereft

If you go to my neighborhood thrift shop, You just might come across Five ice cream sundae dishes And two mugs; if not, your loss. See, I’m very slowly sweeping Things that I don’t use away, Though I often must remind myself Why items needn’t stay. In L.A.’s recent fires, People found out in a flash That they had to leave; their homes And all their stuff reduced to ash. I think of them as I decide What I should keep or ditch, Knowing that so many there Were left without a stitch. And as I agonize about The trove I still have left, I’m sure that those who’ve lost it all Must be beyond bereft.

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Hilda Greenhough

Date: 3/4/2025 12:26:00 PM

Thrift shops certainly help those in a pinch. A great many thrifts also donate to charity. It's a win win. Thank you for this poem. I enjoyed it.

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 3/4/2025 11:29:00 AM

You know what they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure. So we must think of it as giving it a second life. I remember we had a house fire when I was about 5 years old. It was total destruction and everything was lost. Oh, how much those few donated items meant to us. A marvelous poem, my friend.

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 3/4/2025 3:40:00 AM

You make a good point Ilene. Not long ago I took an inventory of my possessions, much of it nonessentials, so into the big outside garbage "elephant" they went. I am now more careful what I buy. / Maurice

Jan Allison

Date: 3/3/2025 12:44:00 PM

I too have been clearing out my wardrobe today - I am a horder and hate getting rid of sometime i once held dear - your poem makes me realise how darn lucky we are. keep on writing my friend, whatever the subject matter your poems are always a joy to read:-) hugs jan xx