in cardboard boxes

taking a detour
from the shades of blue
in the too bright sky
I shade my eyes
from the sparkling attic dust
there, in cardboard boxes
in, among them, magically
released from their protection
a statuette comes to life
a tiny gold fairy with silver wings
nearly an angel, so perfect is she
as I remember the day
a long haul down memory lane

follow me, you said secretly
with your greedy eyes of a scavenger
but I knew you’d found treasures
somewhere we shouldn’t be found

the nymph had cast her spell on you
though how you found her I never learned
she needed simple children with smiling faces
for she had grown weary of waiting
for the old lady who
had forgotten her in the basement

begging for pardon, not wanting to disturb
her afternoon peace on the creaking porch swing
frightened of no one, you knocked on the door
our ball fell through the open window down there
you had a quick way with easy lies

I have since grown into a father
my daughter’s tall "pillar to post"
a letter carrier am I
especially birthday cards
with my strong massive arms
I twirl her around,
laughing at her twinkling eyes
knowing the surprise I’ve kept
in a cardboard box
under the bed…



in cardboard boxes
[2007.22.4…c]
Second Place Winner in Lexi’s Poetry Challenge, Round 37