Pocket-Memories
by Odin Roark

Layers of love are never lost
Even after a good bath

How long had it been?

A mantle of dust
A bit of sand
Some fish oil residue
“gives special character”
He used to say

So many days now past
Magnifying ants
Imagined horror stints
Trimming a yolk branch
For slingshot accuracy
Screwdriving Erector Set connections
Gutting deep-lake spinner catches
Leather punching favorite belts
Ah the looking back

Now like new once more
Everything tucked back in
Servitude getting momentary rest
As a hand-me-down’s rebirth
Awaits new challenges

It’s peaceful under here
Dark and warm
Haven’t been this clean forever
Kind of eerie
Like narrow canyons awaiting sunrise

Loved being cocooned back in my box
Wrapped in red and white
Yellow ribboned for giving
All set to surprise

Soon

His grandson’s pocket-memories will begin
As that’s what Swiss Army Knives are for…
Passing to the next
What makes growing up never ending