When you pull the mementos
\nfrom my shelf,
\ntake one thing with you,
\na box of acorns and sticks,
\ndried petals and stones,
\nlittle agates of sand and asphalt,
\nslivers of paper,
\nremnants of puffballs,
\nstems curled up like snakes,
\nand with them
\nsilence and words.
\nVisions of a boy extending his hand,
\ngiving me crab apples to hold,
\nbecause they were beautiful.
\nA smile wrapping them in ribbons,
\nthings the dust carried
\nclinging to his fingers,
\nholes in the ground
\nput invisibly in the box.<\/p>\n
I threw nothing away.
\nI was his caretaker of treasures.
\nI was PaPa,
\nlearning
\nwhen the world becomes dark,
\nenters a storm,
\ndries up without hope,
\nthere are singular voices
\nto heaven,
\ngifts found by the innocent
\nand gentle.
\nThat is what is in the box,
\nwhat you\u2019ll see
\nif you cherish such things.
\nBe glad for yourself if you find them.
\nBe glad for me,
\nand love Jackie first
\nand most of all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When you pull the mementos from my shelf, take one thing with you, a box of acorns and sticks, dried petals and stones, little agates…<\/p>\n