The Hope Chest

The lid of my hope chest pops off 
And I am transported back in time. ~Melissa

Take a deep breath, 
For we are about to journey
To another realm.

Where starry nights follow
Our sun-kissed cheeks
Blushing with the memories
Of passion and firsts.

Where you might find
The soft stroke of a babies first hair cut
Or tiny white booties made of leather
Letters from a first love, 
And photographs of everything

Report cards and childhood paintings
Adorn the shadows of the box
While foreign money reminds
You of the time you went overseas
Your armed service medal flashes bright
And that short story you wrote gathers dust.

But these are just things…
And it’s time to let them go. 

One by one I photograph the memories 
I can’t move on from, and toss the rest
knowing that this may the last time 
I hold them in my hand and yet I hold them
In my mind, reminded that decluttering doesn’t 
Wipe the things from your past
Rather it just removes them from your shelves