In Memoriam

Hidden in the midnight

creaks of floor boards,

inside of the sharp

chips of coffee mugs,

mounted in the dusty

frames of forgotten families

are the words

of Life's poetry.

Our stories are told

line by line as

stanzas formed by memories

flow from pens in memoriam

of grandfathers and pets,

childhood sweethearts and

lazy Sunday evenings.

But the memories

we keep at bay

strain to be heard; 

their voices cry as loud as

the floor boards, mugs, and frames.

They beg us to remember

that poetry also lurks in

what haunts us and

the memories we choose

to forget.