"Sorting Laundry"
By Elisavietta Ritchie

In the beginning of the poem, the speaker asserts that she and her lover have kept things like bath towels and worn out pillowcases. "Towels patterned orange and green, flowered pink and lavender, gaudy, bought on sale." This makes it seem like they never throw anything out even if it is old or ugly. Even though they have the ability to get new towels or bleach the old ones, they haven't done it yet. When I read this it brought to mind some floral-patterned bedsheets and towels my parents got on sale at the beginning of their marriage. They needed to save money and the ugly things were the cheapest. And although they are ugly, they have never gotten around to throwing away partially because of forgetfulness, but also because they are a reminder of times past. In this case, the speaker is letting the reader know that their relationship is similar to the way it was at the beginning. It is still strong and hasn't become weak and uncomfortable. These old things are a reminder of the beginning.