Setting Up House

I met a woman, fell in love She was a gift from above Soon she became my spouse We gathered things and set up house. Some things were new without a flaw Some were hand me downs from Ma and Paw For some we saved nickels in a can Some were bought on the installment plan. Children came – a total of four Two boys – two girls- no need for more We managed to provide room and board Did the best we could afford. We moved around from house to house On an adventure – me and my spouse Gathering things to which we would cling But we rarely got rid of anything. Tables, chairs, couches, and beds Cabinets and shelves taller than our heads Mugs, pictures, and bells we did collect Mementoes and heirlooms on which to reflect. A man gathers a lot in over fifty years And remembers many of them with tears Many a thing still fills my house But it’s not a home without my spouse. She has a room in a retirement home Care is provided and she cannot roam I dreamed one day we would be old timers But I never figured on Alzheimer’s. Now I have a house full of stuff Too many things - more than enough The time has come to downsize To an apartment in the high rise. My children came one by one Went through my stuff until they were done One takes this and another takes that And managed to do so without a spat. Giving things away is a lonely task My irritability I cannot mask Gathering things with my spouse Was more fun than cleaning out house.