Keepsakes and Treasure Chests

“Upstairs, in the cupboard, he had a box of things he had saved as a boy 

and a young man. He hadn't looked into it in twenty years or more.

 Nothing fancy or valuable, but things that had meant something

 to him at one time. He found it, and found the key, 

and carried it downstairs without opening it.”

― Jane Smiley

source

• Do you have treasures you've saved forever?  
• Where do you keep them?  
• Which ones are more precious than the rest?

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The top two shelves of my China cabinet are an altar of precious things: photographs of people and souvenirs from journeys I've taken. A silver-handled spoon made of shell makes me think of the friend who gave it to me, and the time we spent together.  A wooden bowl carved by my brother holds three crumbling pieces of the Berlin wall.  And so on.  Would I take any of these treasures with me in an emergency?  No.  I've contemplated getting rid of them.  I would remember whether or not the object remained.  But still, I keep them.  Keepsakes.  

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Make a poem of your treasure chest 

and/or your keepsakes.

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A few poems to inspire:

• The Cane-Bottom’d Chair BY WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY  
• Storage by Mary Oliver
• THE TREASURE DRAWER  by Antoinette De Coursey Patterson
• My Treasures By Robert Louis Stevenson
• Mother's Closet BY MAXINE SCATES 

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Please link one poem that is your response to the material of this prompt.  After you link your poem, please visit others.

Don't forget to include this link in your post.