Bone People

So long hidden in the closet
no one sees them for the dust
the rattling empty hangers
the bones that lie in rows

I trace the keyhole in my heart
find no way to unlock its secrets

When they gather two and three deep
spring cleaning my excuse
to reach in and pull out old jeans,
too-short skirts and shrunken tops

I try to dislodge the bones that gather
where we’ve always dropped our skins

Camouflage clothing hangs still on the bones
intents and dreams that went awry
I take a hanger, pick the lock open
remove skeletons to make room for new bones

First published Transition Magazine