I passed through the door,
their laughter behind me.

I paused halfway down the path
and shifted the burden.
It wasn't heavy,
but it did put me off balance.

The only sounds were the crunch
of my feet on the gravel
and behind me, curiously louder,
their curious laughter.

It was days before I removed
the tape from the box.
Days too busy to bother,
though I hadn't forgotten.

The worst of what's happened since
is remembering their laughter.