Detritus Poem by Dr Vidya Hariharan

Happy are those who have no space
In their homes and lives for detritus,
Collections of old and used artefacts
Cluttering up their existence.

New enough to be used again
Not old enough to be antique,
These are the things we hoard
Until we cease to be.

Cupboards stuffed with old clothes
Outgrown by all the family,
Toys and cards: old pastimes,
Not any more in their fancy.

Chairs and tables with broken legs
Metal boxes and rusted planks,
Replaced long ago with new
But still lie forgotten in storage.

Chipped and cracked cups and plates
colours and shapes out of fashion
stacked up on kitchen shelves
wait to be brought out again.

Mementoes of travels abroad
Pictures, magnets, sculptures,
Displayed on walls and niches,
What tales of adventure do they tell?

Weekends are spent with friends,
Exchanging gossip, food and wine,
Yet in times of trouble
Not a single one around.

We walk in others' footsteps,
Waiting for emergent ideas,
Clear and original thought
Needs space free of detritus.
***