The house was mostly empty by the time my Mother passed away
furniture sold and moved out, clothes sent to Goodwill
The kitchen appliances thrown out as broken or
divvied up to various relatives
When I did a walk through with a real estate agent I expected only echoes
so was surprised to see the bedroom closets filled with hangers
Someone, or several someones had left them behind
I supposed they remembered how frugal she was, my Mom
Waste not, want not, she used to say
it was passed down to all of us
The agent just smiled when she saw them
We all leave things she said, walking away
leaving me to stare at what was no longer there