His wallet holds the scraps of yesterday

with faded photos dearest to his heart;

A raffle ticket, notice of a play

attended when his daughter had a part;

A stub from some wild party in the rain

at college when he went where laughter led;

A tiny rosebud wrapped in cellophane

from his true love's bouquet when they were wed;

A snip of ribbon done in earthy tones

from some dead soldier's grave across the sea;

Such pieces of his life are all he owns,

each remnant bringing back a memory.

These treasures, and a letter from a friend

will hold his world together till the end.       

Published on November 1st, 2022