RaNdOm BaLLs Of LiNt

Winters arrived.
I dug my sweater from the closet…
Random balls of lint,
Speckled all over it.

Plucking them off
Was no chore.
Random memories beset me;
Slivers from my childhood.

My sweater brought forth warmth,
[Even Undonned]
Memories have that power,
Blaze of brandy down one’s throat.

A happy family of four,
Parcheesi before bed,
Barbeques on the beach,
Afternoons spent napping.

And life
Remains
Crammed
With
Contradiction.

Then we grew up,
Learnt to lie, disguise, defy
Poke, hide and pry,
Chilled me within.

My sweater cannot
Banish this pall.
But my dog laughs
I’m less forlorn.

No more fluffy balls of lint,
My sweaters clean,
My hearts heavy…
My break from real life’s spent.