THERE HAVE BEEN MANY THINGS I COULD NOT KEEP

There have been many things I could not keep. Friends, lovers, secrets, promises, records, my food down, myself from falling apart, my mind open, an eye on that dog, my mouth closed, me eyes off of you. There will be many more things I will not be able to keep. But I keep the precious little jewel encased flames that represent them in a special wooden box inside a private chamber. It is very full in there but there is plenty of room for more.