Here lie some coins, after shave,
an old brush for the pet.
A stamp, some paper clips, it’s even my
unpaid bill file cabinet.
A safety pin, unwanted business cards,
Even an old NYC subway token.
Here too, rests an unmailed letter to one
with whom in years I have not spoken.
But when it comes to dusting, this is one
place she knows to stop.
God help the mortal-to-be-ghost, who messes
with my dresser top!
I Know I Made You Smile
cartoons/humor/fiction/nonfiction
March 26, 2011
Carl D'Agostino
I Know I Made You Smile 
25 responses to “My Dresser Top by Carl D’Agostino”
adeeyoyo
April 3rd, 2011 at 18:43
I loved your poem, Carl! I hate anyone to mess with my things too. Good luck with your move – at least it’s one you’re looking forward to. Moving can be quite stressful…
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carldagostino
April 3rd, 2011 at 19:18
We are all settled in now. Went from semi ghetto to world class condo heaven on the bay. What a difference 7 miles can make. I hope you continue to get a little funny out of my stuff.
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lifeintheboomerlane
March 29th, 2011 at 19:17
Congrats on the move, Carl!
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carldagostino
March 29th, 2011 at 21:02
75% moved in. We are on the water and finally out of the semi ghetto.
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carldagostino
March 29th, 2011 at 12:34
Yes, a visit from action figure Wonder Woman would be appreciated
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duckofindeed
March 28th, 2011 at 19:25
It’s good to know I’m not the only person that uses my dresser for things other than clothes. It’s such a good place for storing random objects. Playing cards, action figures, some daggers, a dream catcher. Yep, apparently I’m perfectly normal, after all.
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Amiable Amiable
March 27th, 2011 at 01:31
Dust is my friend. Without it, I wouldn’t know if people messed with my stuff. Wishing you all the best with your move.
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carldagostino
March 27th, 2011 at 07:26
Thanks and I will leave no dust behind.
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planejaner
March 26th, 2011 at 20:36
Carl–
this makes me miss my dad.
I can smell his aftershave…
bittersweet, and well done.
blessings on your move–will this put you and your family in a safer area?
jane
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carldagostino
March 26th, 2011 at 21:32
Yes, memories. I live in North Miami, a city 5 miles north of the City of Miami. Last two decades it has become Little Haiti or Port au Prince North as we say. Delightful people but as with any immigrant community ridden with drugs, assaults and shootings are a normal piece of the day. All government and notices in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole so am a foreigner in my own country.Going to huge gated,upper class high rise community by ocean. Old European ethnics. Safe with many amenities. My parents live with me, both 88, we split cost and will be fine. Thank you for asking.
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Margaret Reyes Dempsey
March 26th, 2011 at 17:31
I want to see the real one with all the stuff on it.
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carldagostino
March 26th, 2011 at 18:11
Well kinda cleaned up this moment. We are moving Monday about 8 miles north from North Miami(Third World) to Aventura(Elite rows of sun-bleached condos like dominoes waiting to be kissed by the next hurricane(simile/metaphor combo). But until this morning it had the printer, a Swee-Touch-Nee 3x4x4 teabag tin box cc 1910, deposit slips, log, and bank pouch, condo banking records and 46 checks(good month 46 of 77 paid maintenance so the water will still be on for maybe 2 days), a bottle of purple bubble water (because I like to make bubbles more than granddaughter), an eight inch Bart Simpson doll (mine not hers), a small 35mm camera(last time used 1986), 4 cartoons that need to be redrawn, one 1907 Indian head penny, a copy of the Vendetta Defense by Linda Scottolini, a rubber band that is brittle with age, a 1930ish 3 cent George Washington stamp, my watch which has a 1945 half dollar as its face, hmmm-looks like 3 legs from a large roach, my AA medallion I got last night( 9 years sober), 2 black uniball pens, a little empty 2×3 photo frame, 3 loose staples, 2 stale cigarettes, a 32 inch brown shoelace, an empty book of matches with two phone numbers(pre area code as only 7 numbers so who knows?) and dust.
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Margaret Reyes Dempsey
March 27th, 2011 at 12:18
I love blowing bubbles, too. š
Congratulations on the nine years!
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Sana Johnson-Quijada MD
March 28th, 2011 at 05:05
congrats on the move carl. does this mean the condo fiasco/stress is over? what’s up?!
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carldagostino
March 28th, 2011 at 05:29
J-Q MD Despite valiant efforts and recent short term financial collections this place will never be functional. My self care was to disallow my problem to own me anymore. To change what I can. Not to be immobilized and merely pray for improvement. This problem has held me hostage for over a decade. Flush it all down the drain today. I still have to sell and will get about 35 cents on a dollar in today’s market but still a good price for freedom. Thank you for asking.
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carldagostino
March 26th, 2011 at 16:06
Yes, it was the best I could find to go with the poem. I should have cut out little odds and ends to make it look cluttered. On the other hand perhaps someone has not heeded the warning and cleaned up after me anyway. “Who did this ? Where’s my one blue shoe lace ?”Thanks for visiting.
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athursdayschild has a long way to go and much to be thankful for.
March 26th, 2011 at 14:33
It looks much neater than you describe. Much neater than ours.
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khandise
March 26th, 2011 at 13:33
that would be the ultimate payback for any relative that you didn’t like or the kids that will fight over what gets what š …. lol
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carldagostino
March 26th, 2011 at 14:03
Welcome. Thanks for visit
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kateshrewsday
March 26th, 2011 at 12:05
Really lovely, Carl. A sacred place! I loved this.
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carldagostino
March 26th, 2011 at 12:48
Ah, you understand. Yes, a sacred place, dust and all.
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Carl D'Agostino
September 11th, 2010 at 09:27
Ah yes. A little romance around the socks and underwear drawer would be splendid.
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Sana Johnson-Quijada MD
March 27th, 2011 at 23:12
nearly in hysterics! laughing raucously!
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carldagostino
March 28th, 2011 at 05:19
Is this desire a treatable syndrome of some kind ?
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steve
September 11th, 2010 at 07:21
What you need is a woman in your life. Perhaps just a cleaning lady!
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