nothing lasts

i find an old shoe shine
kit
under the sink,
next to cleaning fluids,
soap,
brillo pads
and an assortment of sponges,
and rags.

i haven't shined a pair of
shoes
in decades. i can't
even remember the last time
i took this kit
out and
polished any brown or black
shoe
in my house.

but this kit is new. hardly
a year old.

i open the case, smell the waxy
paste,
hold the brush, the red
cloth,
then put it all back
from where it came.
i zipper it up tightly.

then it occurs to me that
this was a Christmas
gift from someone that i
thought i knew, and there's
a little card
attached.

love, it says. with a heart
and a smile.

i throw it all away.
nothing lasts.