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photo by Jane Bell Goldstein

All I Ever Wanted
by Richard Simmonds

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​Everything I ever wanted
is being delivered today.
 
I struggle carrying packages
up the stairs to my apartment.
At least fifty trips
 
Carrying fancy lamps, boxes
of first editions, the latest electronics,
objets d’art, fine pens and pencils,
 
Antique African masks, gem stones,
silverware, fine china.
 
It took me almost three months
to look at everything.
 
Most of it I repacked.
Put back in the box and labelled.
 
I sat for another few weeks
and thought.
 
I was disappointed in myself
that I could ever let my desire
 
For all this stuff burn so hot
that I had to buy it.
 
I also knew I didn’t want it anymore.
Once I have it, I don’t want it.
 
I put a sign in front of my building.
“All I ever wanted—FREE.”
 
After two days it was all gone.
Even some of the stuff I had before
the delivery.
 
I feel like a bright pink cabbage rose
opening up.
 
I look forward to all the petals
falling off.

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