Weary they came with faces drawn,
sagging under their heavy loads.
The many boxes strewn around
waiting space in their new abode.
Early packing had long gone on
with sorting, marking, piling high.
Would it soon end with time to rest,
with place to sit, with time to sigh?
Home she left for this painful way,
He lost his old familiar things.
This day had come, they, ill prepared
to cast the times, remembering.
To launch anew this crucial move,
to gain a new security.
How could it be that all this loss
attempts to shun calamity?
Today is now the moving day;
quarters ready for moving in,
except the carpet is not laid,
except a door without a hinge.
With calm resolve the movers work
as boxes move from place to place
to help possessions find a home
so all will seem just commonplace.
The bed is up, the mattress on.
Today will be completely past
with much still packed. We work so late,
but rest will help our strength to last
to unload boxes, to place lamps,
arrange the rooms by early plans.
But all won’t fit as first we thought.
Soon we must purchase other brands.
But one by one things fall in place
as children, friends lend helping hands;
as slow but sure our home takes shape
we welcome scenes we understand.
The days do pass and with our task,
now bit by bit, we find it good.
We gain new friends and cherish old,
as others said they knew we would.
Arduous to take this step,
to sort and ponder all we own,
to find our things in brand new place,
in settings which are all unknown.
Let time and patience have their way.
This is our great necessity!
Contentment find and peace of mind
Within our new security.
(August 1997)