Memory Shelf

~

I keep a small pot of marbles

for when I begin to lose my own,

and sometimes I weigh in my hand 

the old wooden fishing reel

to remember special times with him,

curious, often useful is

an old bus inspector’s punch that 

once belonged to the grandfather 

I never had the pleasure to meet,

another poignant reminder is

the embroidered heart-shaped 

pillow that you made 

that I rested on following 

open heart surgery,

the little chalk 

Old English Sheepdog

always makes me smile as I

remember lovely Holly,

as does the old fat rolling pin

that metered out my mother’s justice,

placed side by side the

beautiful conch shell stolen from

where two oceans meet,

and the 1971 photograph 

of you, my forever only one

*

© Graham R Sherwood 02/24