Airing out the dirty laundry: Symbolism of "Sorting Laundry"

"a mountain of unsorted wash
 could not fill
 the empty side of the bed"
What seems like an mundane chore has now been transformed into a fantastic symbol of a relationship. But the laundry does not just represent one single aspect of a relationship but all the parts that make it up, good and bad. It describes the pillowcases that "despite so many washings, seams still holding our dreams" which indicates that even through their relationship has been through many sometimes challenging times that their dreams of love still remain. The bright beach towels represent those feelings that even after so long they still keep hidden. Then there were the clothes that have been worn and washed over and over. The action of wearing and washing the same things over and over has become routine much like the lives of lovers after much time. The wrinkles indicate the problems that couples have that are either worked out or left to be dealt with another time. Couples can become separated like socks in the wash and feelings can shrink like the clothes. But then you find some surprises in the pockets, little things, that remind you of your love and bring a little hope and happiness. Some of these can get washed away or lost but some still remain in tact and beautiful. The speaker finally says that if the lover were to leave that no amount of laundry could fill the emptiness that is left when he is gone. These symbols do an excellent job of portraying all the elements and struggles of a relationship by comparing them to the simple task of doing laundry.