Crystol Woods Poet Free verse

Butter Yellow

I can almost smell the fresh paint. That isn't possible however. That scent was almost 19 years ago… Butter Yellow was the name on the sample card. Rocking chair. Tiny pink booties.

Stickers hide butter yellow behind princesses, animals, stars, happy faces, everything adhesive. About 50 inches up the walls.. stickers and fingerprints. Giggles echo.

Spray paint and posters. Black light. Neon glow. Butter yellow, mostly invisible. A Disney princess peeks out from behind a band poster. Black clothes with silver chains and safety pins lay on the floor, Saturated in emotion. 

Bright Butter yellow patches. Dark splotches where dust clings to sticker adhesive. A scattering of scotch tape with just the corner of a poster stuck underneath.Shapes pressed in carpet. My breathing sounds too loud. 
Lifting your suitcase,  I shut the door behind me.

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John Fleming July 29, 2025 at 10:34 AM A very lovely poem, undoubtedly...but with a MOST intriguing last couple of lines: " My breathing sounds too loud. Lifting your suitcase, I shut the door behind me." Perhaps I am missing the obvious? No matter. I can understand full well why this poem took first prize...it really is that good. :) john Crystol Woods July 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM Awe that's so sweet thank you! To me the last lines were about moving away from the home we raised our daughter in... and she will be off to college in a few weeks...it was so hard packing up her room. Tysm for visiting! Xo

Charlotte Puddifoot June 11, 2024 at 2:32 PM i really like how you've written this, it's very modern and i would call it prose poetry, currently very popular - congrats on your win in craig's contest! Crystol Woods June 11, 2024 at 7:39 PM Wow that's so nice thank you! I guess we all have a certain style that will show itself the more we write. I don't feel I've gotten there yet but perhaps it's my first steps! Ty for your feedback, I cherish these comments like gold! Xo

Nette Onclaud June 11, 2024 at 12:08 AM Hi crystal...congrats on your fascinating win...I like the staccato feel of your poem; it's quite urban and right on the alley of your theme...nice meeting ya!?? Crystol Woods June 11, 2024 at 6:41 AM Nette,thats great feedback,ty! <3 Nette Onclaud June 11, 2024 at 12:09 AM Crystol !

Susan Ashley June 10, 2024 at 7:22 PM Dear Crystol, your potent pen spills an intimate scene full of nostalgia of the past "almost 19 years" and the heavy heartache of knowing this room will now be empty as you lift her suitcase and shut the door behind you. So deeply moving! Superb, sincere and soulful. Congratulations for your win in Craig's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Crystol Woods June 10, 2024 at 11:14 PM Oh, Susan... you are the sweetest! I just finished reading yours..ehhem, experiencing yours! I feel bereft, shocked, dazed. I couldn't possibly understand your high level writing yet, not until I've studied a few more centuries lol... but that's the beauty of it! I didn't have to catch EVERYTHING, every layer, because I FELT it. Anyway, I thank you for your lovely thoughts about my empty room! Xo

Andrea Dietrich June 6, 2024 at 1:17 PM wow, is this for that empty room contest or whatever? This is REALLY good. So poignant too. I understood it just the way you explained it to Tom Crystol Woods June 6, 2024 at 1:34 PM Yay!!! Yes it is, thank you so much! I just kept thinking about how empty that room will be without my baby girl. They call it empty nest right? Mine will be soon so I'll enjoy every Full moment! Ty again Andrea!