As I examine old photos
with a careful eye
and sort possessions
that may someday
be tossed away,
I bring attention
to important items
so they shine like diamonds
and everyone will know
what should be preserved
as my father did
when he placed
photos and documents
inside plastic sleeves,
arranged envelopes
with typed labels,
photos with dates,
handwritten notes
on the back.
Even though
he is gone
he calls out,
“Look at this, read this, keep this!”
