Spare Car Keys

Spare Car Keys 

Photographs and trinkets
Tooth brush
Hair brush 
Long living strands still attached

All these things
Have no life now
Gathered up and black bagged

Flimsy frilly underwear
Bring hot stinging tears
Drag the burning back
Into my throat

Your favorite tea cup
Your old leather coat
The print of Klimt’s golden woman 

Films we watched so many times
Your arm linked in mine 
Head nestled on my shoulder
The third arm I should have grown to cuddle you closer

Bras and socks skirts and tops
Perfume and makeup
Photographically still hold you

Glasses we drank from
Wine bottles we saved
For candles and romantic nights
All rolled up now in a Persian rug

Spare car keys 
Written off with irony
Of all the useless things thrown away that day

Spare car keys
Your life body bagged
My life black bagged

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Derrick Burton

Date: 1/25/2009 2:11:00 PM

love any poetry which is different and deep. Loved how you were so creative with the key title and pushed your poetry forward into the end. enjoyed reading it and have a blessed day.

Sharon Winter

Date: 1/25/2009 8:55:00 AM

Colin, I too hope this is not a reflection on reality. If it is, I am deeply sorry for your loss. Life sadly surprises us with tragedy, and it is often too late we learn to appreciate what we have before it is gone. A lesson hard learned for so many of us. Love, Shar

Kristin Reynolds

Date: 1/25/2009 3:59:00 AM

Oh, Colin, if this is real life, then I am so so so very sorry for your loss, heartbreaking poetry. We never realize how big a life truly is, and how far one life goes, until it is gone. all those little things...heartbreaking. love, Kristin

Carrie Richards

Date: 1/24/2009 6:16:00 PM

So well done, so sad, heart wrenching and real. Like a death....the things that are left behind, evidence of what used to be. Great writing, Colin! ~ Carrie

Tyesha Ehigiator

Date: 1/24/2009 4:46:00 PM

Wow, this is unbelievably sad..this is coming from the most secret, private place where you have revealed all your deepest thoughts and heartaches..I pray that God shines on you daily, gives you the strength to go on and that you hold on to all the good memories you once shared. This was written so beautifully...Stay strong.May God Bless And Keep You...*Love Tyesha

Donna Golden

Date: 1/24/2009 4:19:00 PM

This is probably the most heartbreaking piece I've read in a very long time. If this is from personal experience, I'm so very sorry. Blessings, Colin. Donna G.