1. the box in the loft
smells Art Deco, Paris in
nineteen twenty five.
SEVEN BOX IN THE LOFT HAIKU
2. the box in the loft
seeps Transatlantic Cunard,
sleek bows, funnels, smoke.
3. the box in the loft
touches Bakelite beakers,
sniffs Bugatti cars.
4. the box in the loft
drifts Charleston flappers, flat-fringed bobs
framing khol eyes.
5. the box in the loft
smiles when I ask questions which
photos will answer.
6. the box in the loft,
slippery gauze of summer,
thirties Depression.
7. the box in the loft
falls apart, breaks my heart.  Mouse
droppings, decay, worm.

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