Unpacking

Last night I had to unpack
a thought of you -
a time capsule I vowed
to never call.
^^
I love the message underlying these words and lines - unpacking from someone you love in an emotional sense - gradually pulling the memories through a shredder as you distance yourself from the past and enter into the unknown realms of the present and future. I like the way you have used time capsule - a beautiful form of symbolism as well as a metaphorical twist!

It was chalky
and cardboard fragments
stuck to the tape that once
connected our appendages.
^^
I love the direct links between actually packing and the emotional unpacking - so impactful it is like you are tackling this poem with dual perspectives the physical and the emotional sense.

The rot of dysfunction
choreographed its way
between mildewed prayers
and swollen shadows.
^^
The words selected here are amazing!
So deep and resonating this deep sadness with as you contemplate on the relationship and the chaos it provoked upon your life.
I think this is my favourite stanza!

Somehow my success
toe-danced mockingly
around your failure -
a permanent scar singed
on my nape from your
flaring nostrils.
^^
Wow I love how you took this challenge of dancing and crafted from it a deep poem about life and moving on.

5/5

Loved this Hannah, and I do remember when everyone did these. I remember you had a lot of them. "Unpacking" memories is sometimes very difficult and it can definitely go both ways. There are always good or bad ones. This definitely comes together nicely and there is a lot going on. This person wanted to say goodbye for a long time, and something triggered a thought about the last moments of the relationship or friendship. You could tell it got to them by the angry emotion you describe. The ending is perfect and it's kind of a snap back to reality, where you moved on and let that one moment in time go away, and now you are free. Excellent!