the church crown

her collection of bags
was without measure. plastic white
ones balled and stuck
inside of other plastic white ones.
the paper bags,
folded tight and neat
and set inside
a larger brown bag with
handles.
the bags were everywhere,
in the closets,
under the beds.
not to mention the cardboard
boxes.
boxes inside of boxes.
hat boxes, cobwebbed
and musty.
from stores now gone.
garfinkles and woodies.
Kahn's on f street in town.
oh my the boxes,
all empty, each and
every one, but at one time
they carried what she needed
and wanted.
a new blouse, a new dress.
a pair of shoes, a red
hat with a feather,
a church crown to flaunt.