Short Cedar Chest Poems

Old newspaper clippings 
as they hang on the wall 
my old toys 
stored in the cedar chest 
the color of skin 
as we work together 
my two dogs and cat 
chasing each other 
my ink gliding across white paper 
as I write this poem...

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By Dawne Zacharias

Poetry is an
ever evolving 
idea moving to
a new becoming

as the 
opening of a
cedar chest
enlivens the senses

it creates a new essence
ripped from its original author
it becomes a new poem
an open-ended adventure...

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VIOLIN  - multiform 

the old cedar chest
cracks with a dry musty blast
an edison bulb
in the gloom brings back the past
old news and dad’s violin

scratchy violin
alexander’s ragtime band
old 78

now the house lights dim
quiet anticipation
walking on – perlman!...

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I left today…
You do not know
That you have let me go
You do not hear 
The closing door
Or see my shadow cross the floor
You do not feel
The ache of loss
Because you’ve yet to come across
The folded note
That simply rests
Upon our bedroom cedar chest
You’ll never see 
My shattered heart
Or witness any tears
Because you are not here...
To see me disappear...

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an old photograph
uncovered from a cedar chest
peppered with dust
and frayed at its edges

how its subjects
smile with quiet pride
asking not to be pitied
that their time is spent

all of this family
elder and infant
bride and groom
are long since departed

fingerprints shimmer on its surface
traces of the hands that held it
laughing, crying, remembering
and I add mine...

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