Shifting the Burden

I passed through the door,

their laughter behind me.

I paused halfway down the path

and shifted the burden.

It wasn’t heavy,

but it did put me off balance.

The only sounds were the crunch

of my feet on the gravel

and behind me, curiously louder,

their curious laughter.

It was days before I removed

the tape from the box.

Days too busy to bother,

though I hadn’t forgotten.

The worst of what’s happened since

is remembering their laughter.