Holiday Gift Idea

I am now officially receiving the “holiday gift idea” emails from various places where I don’t remember signing up for the email list. It is my annual reminder to unsubscribe from a bunch of things. And to consider what gifts I want to send forth this season.

Pry open the door of the most neglected closet —

the one with the door that squeaks, or sticks,

or makes scratches in the floor with its misshapen boards.

You’ll find it at the back.

It will be worth it —

to empty out the first layer of jackets meant for another season

(or another body)

to squeeze past the sports equipment

where now only spiders play,

and to reach the darkest corner, covered in debris from three owners ago.

Sit here, Beloved.

Let the spiderwebs adorn your hair and the dust settles on your skin,

anointing you with ages.

Close your eyes in this forgotten place —

and remember

the unquenchable shine of yourself that you lost to propriety is here.

You have only to reach out a hand and wait.

Soon it will crawl into your palm, warm and quivering —

igniting the fuse directly to the center of your heart.