Poems (Tree)/We Are the Caretakers of Empty Houses

by Iris Tree

WE are the caretakers of empty houses,The moon leans her slender body against the door,But the lock is jarred with rust.The sun looks in through the window,But its closed shutters are as blinded eyes.Our souls are full of dead and beautiful thingsLike bowls of potpourri,A dust of petalsRustling through the tired fingers of a ghost.

1918