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Beginning with a line by Meghan O'Rourke
 
I lived in a museum for years  
accumulating items: a small statue
of Lincoln I picked up in Springfield,
 
postcards from my trip to Yellowstone,
toy panda from China, miniature model
of the Washington Monument,
 
bicentennial jelly glasses from 1976,
the mantle clock I couldn't bear to toss
when it quit working, jigsaw puzzles,
 
unused pillow cases—their pink roses
and violets embroidered
by Grandmother, boxes of artwork
 
my children made at school,
kept in the basement
even after a mouse nibbled the corners.
 
And photos, of course—family, friends
and all the places I've been. I never
got around to labeling anything,
 
never designed a route around
the house to make sure
a guest would see the all the exhibits.
 
Now it's time to sell
or give away these priceless objects—
the natural history of my life.
 
© by Wilda Morris.
Used with the author's permission.

 

 

 


 

 

Wilda Morris enjoys leading poetry workshops, walking in the woods or wetlands near her home, travel, and writing poetry. President of Poets & Patrons of Chicago and past president of the Illinois State Poetry Society, Wilda provides a monthly poetry challenge at wildamorris.blogspot.com.

 


Post New Comment:
barbara eknoian:
Oh, I can relate. It's painful to give up some memories.
Posted 12/09/2013 12:51 AM
Dorcas:
Ready to abandon my museum but, so difficult. It is crowded up in here.
Posted 12/08/2013 06:06 PM
Jo:
You have written about my life in this too big house. Time to sort--all those memories. Museum treasures of our lives. Thanks so much Wilda.
Posted 12/08/2013 05:53 PM
anne.lehman2929@att.net:
Wilda, what a treat. I can hear you read this aloud and feel the passing of each memory. Those of us "of a certain age" need to be reminded of that our lives are filled with these museum treasures. Thank you--
Posted 12/08/2013 04:11 PM
Sharon Urdahl:
Oh my Wendy...you have struck a cord in me with your poem...painting the perfect picture of my life. I am slowly weeding out my "garden of boxes",but many of those "things" still hold seeds from which much of my writing evolves. Thank you so much...I think feel a poem coming on!
Posted 12/08/2013 02:05 PM
gigi:
Perfect description, though I now need to consider a docent-guided tour. Thank you, Wilda.
Posted 12/08/2013 08:30 AM
Charly:
Wendy, How I relate to this poem, especially after downsizing for the move South. And even now I know that I have still kept too mush of my personal museum! Wonderful poem, thank you!
Posted 12/08/2013 08:06 AM
fer:
Ahhh, this is the story of my life. It's so nice to see it in a poem!
Posted 12/08/2013 07:51 AM
Janet Leahy:
Perfect poem for me as I sort through Christmas treasures that must be scaled down. Thanks Wilda.
Posted 12/08/2013 07:27 AM
Buckner14:
I can certainly relate to this accounting of the stuff of our lives. Quite a catalogue. I'm on my 3rd downsizing, and not much is going "down."
Posted 12/08/2013 07:20 AM
TheSilverOne:
Spent all of yesterday going through things to "lighten up." Your poem says it all. Thank you, Wilda. ~~Doris
Posted 12/08/2013 07:09 AM
Katrina:
A person must move house every five years for reasons of hygiene. Industrial detergent is not welcome. May the wings of care provide gentle lavatory.
Posted 12/08/2013 06:27 AM
rksanders@charter.net:
Ah, you've hit a chord with me, Wilda. Nice to feel connected.
Posted 12/08/2013 05:38 AM
Latha:
Lovely poem! True sentiments when one moves homes! Am going through the same heart wrenching feeling giving up so many loved things as we also moved to a new home recently!
Posted 12/08/2013 04:25 AM


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