 Poetry of the Month June 2002  Spring Cleaning Spring had sprung, buds were peeping Birds were nesting, vines were creeping She should have been happy, rejoicing with season But sad she was, without rhyme or reason She concluded that her house needed cleaning Get rid of some of the past The weight lay heavily on her shoulders Now the task needed to be taken in hand She searched for deep memories and cobwebs For serpents, spiders and trash She hated the guilt and the heartache Needed sweeping, scrubbing and wash She swept them all into a corner Was amazed to see the pile grow up But she couldn't find the dust pan So she swept them under the rug She worried the bulge would be visible She'd be questioned by everyone So her favorite chair was placed over it To hide what she had done During visits she'd squirm uncomfortably As she sat in her favorite chair Afraid that she might be discovered Beneath the rug hiding her life's lair Embarrassed, frustrated and angry She threw open the shutters and sash Get rid of this garbage that's hidden "Make me free, make me free" at long last With hands deeply cupped, she carried them Out the window they flew with the wind As though she had offered them to Heaven As penance for all of her sins She smiled, eyes glistening and happy She marvelled at the trees and the birds' songs She was free from a lifetime of sorrow She had cleaned out under the rug. � 2000 Anna M. Hefele Back-Nov. 2004 Next-May 2002 Index-Poetry of the Month Home Nominees & Web Poll Message Board Index  |