Graveyard

Life is an exercise in starting over
so I should be able to bury all of my selves,
like small pets in shoe boxes in the backyard,
each marked by a simple flagstone or yellow tulip,
display photo boards documenting the varied
interests, accomplishments, and hairstyles,
eulogize them in “celebration of life” ceremonies,
with marble cake, blue frosting roses.
Or maybe line up the brass urns of my ashes
on the mantle so I can nod at them, touch them
gently when I walk by, hum a line of our favorite
Joni Mitchell song: I could drink a case of you…
their names echoing in the hollow of my chest.



Ashley Cardona lives in the Twin Cities, MN, and teaches high school students to appreciate all things writing. Currently an MFA candidate at Augsburg College, she is a student editor of the newly established Howling Bird Press.