Poem at Year’s End br br In one sweeping, Spring Cleaning, at year’s end, br I gathered up all the year’s photos, br Letters and other mementos: br Placeholders for times spent with you. br I scoured all the closets, top shelves, br Dresser drawers, even pants pockets br I have not worn since. br Convinced, I found it all, br I threw them away in a Catharsis, br A ritualistic purge, in the way br Some might give all they own br When sensing death is near. br br Then, I bathed, shaved br And lie down for bed. br Picking up my diary, br I opened to the last page: br And found, still, this bookmark you gave me br Along with this poem br I had written down about you. br br br 12.31.