This is wonderful, John , and works so well on both a literal and metaphorical level. I too keep trying to clear out the attic, like your poem, both literally and figuratively. It is so difficult to discard of the objects that represent good memories; oddly, it can sometimes be even more difficult to clear out those things that represent painful memories. Thank you for reminding me of this truth.
Deborah Barchi has recently retired from her career as a librarian and now has time to read, explore nature, and write poetry and essays.