The Collector And The Collected

 

I keep it

In case I need it

Or in case

I want to read it again

 

I keep it

Because it sounds like

Everything

I’ve ever done

 

I keep it

Because I did it

And I want to

Relive it

 

I keep it

Because it looks nice

In a nineteen seventies

Kind of vibe

 

I keep it

Because you gave it

To me

On a special day

 

I keep it

Because it brings back

Strong feelings

Of history

 

I keep it

Because I liked it

Once

Upon a time

 

I keep it

Because it’s pretty

Or it’s ugly

Or it’s weird

 

I keep it

Because to bin it

Would be betrayal

Of my past

 

I keep it

And I box it

And I shelve it

And I leave it

 

I keep it

In the attic

Alphabetic

And static

 

I keep it

Until the floors creak

And the walls bend

Under its weight

 

I keep it

When a switch

In my head

Gets clicked

 

I keep it

I own it

It is mine

It is mine

 

I keep it

I am part of it

The Collector

And the collected

 

And Somewhere

God puts me

In a room

With all the others