are the wrinkling sounds of my sturdy plastic

grocery bag,

where I carefully place our organic groceries.

More reassuring than you

are the familiar healthy smells of the fragrances

in our home

that I keep clean using non-toxic products.

Watching the art on our walls,

I tenderly bought or made and hung up,

are more reassuring than you too.

Opening up our refrigerator door

and the curtains on our windows

and the front and back doors,

and in closing them,

I feel

I can reliably feel

are more trustworthy.

My favorite lines

in the same song and book I have heard and read over and over again,

or will hear and read for the first time,

I can count on to be more reassuring.

I can think back and in remembering,

what reassured me the most

are the things in my life, not the people.

Except for that One

Single One

now dead and buried

I can rely on to assure me when remembering.

©️ January 2025 Much Love, Deb Poems