(adjectives)

He says it’s always
good to get rid
of an adjective.
I agree, in theory,
& have said as much
to others.
But want to hold on
to this one, useless
though it is.
Just because I’m
accustomed to it,
I suppose.
The way he won’t
let of clothes
or books, or papers.
Despite what he
says about how
it scans, or maybe
because of it –
that discussion
always makes me
nervous,
just as he bristles
when I bring up
again the need
to clean & sort,
of what his clutter
does to the vibration
of the room.

2/9/99