his gift nearly ready

garage swept and empty shelved

for the first time in decades

a self-cleaning oven needing foam

and elbow grease because its door

would not latch

a bed board and TV stand too heavy

for me to move to my apartment

we are finally down to so few items

the rhododendrons tense

to bursting into riotous blossom

the view across Willamette Valley

to the snow-capped Cascade peaks

celebrates sunny days of clarity and awe

so nearly ready to let go

of the home my Earl gave me

in his loving generosity