swept up laughter and joy

swept the porches and weeded

the front garden early this morning

before more scheduled viewings

of our house on the hill

rhodies bursting into pinks

and whites and iris into purple

three snow-capped peaks glistening

on the horizon while my heart

warms to the interest and melts

at the loss of the home for decades

of family laughter and joy

worse instead of better

 much accomplished

three recycling bins filled

with old scripts and stories

and shredded financial statements

from decades ago

but no progress visible yet

to eyes other than my own

in fact, my home looks worse

than ever with empty and half-filled

boxes in every corner of every room

please come and look at the acreage

and the view of mountain peaks

but do not ask to peek

inside the house – it’s a mess