Mementos

Small things

seem to take on fresh meaning

as pages yellow

through time

filed in drawers labeled "junk."

Old photos

and love letters,

a golden locket

still untarnished

that seemed real when

presented long ago

by a special beau.

A display of colorful objects  

look up when brushed

with a duster,

that swishes quickly by stolid ceramic faces,

mementos from a loving friend

to dance upon the shelf.

These objects remain

and letters retain

wafts of cologne

once carefully applied

to hold the message

unstained and lasting,

as if the message could disappear!

It endures in wisps of memories

and things stored, but not forgotten.

© Shelly Sitzer, 2017

Knick knacks
Photo by Francisco Anzola
from Wikimedia Commons