At noon, the handbag rests against a chair,
a small dark moon with handles, clasp, and seam;
it holds the ordinary everywhere.
A key, a coin, a letter folded there,
receipts like leaves from some forgotten dream.
At noon, the handbag rests against a chair.
It travels through the weather without care,
through crowded stores and streets that flash and gleam;
it holds the ordinary everywhere.
A mirror catches fragments of the air,
a lipstick waits beside a tangled string.
At noon, the handbag rests against a chair.
What matters most is rarely placed with care:
a photograph, a note, a child's old bead—
it holds the ordinary everywhere.
And when the day's adventures disappear,
we set it down, still carrying the day.
At noon, the handbag rests against a chair;
it holds the ordinary everywhere.
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Author:
Matthew R. Callies (
Offline) - Published: October 10th, 2026 06:09
- Comment from author about the poem: This poem was written for National Handbag Day
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 9
- Users favorite of this poem: Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments2
In its cascading form this poem emphasizes the handbag. A container of everyday needed objects that pockets or hands will not accommodate. Nicely done Matthew.
With two daughters of my own, Matthew, I can imagine refusing to throw that bead away…even during a long-overdue cleanout. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
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