my steamer trunk of historic things
holds familial treasures
the jersey my father played high school basketball in
and the schedule upon which he penned
eubank high school’s 57-58 winning tally
my mother’s wedding china
news clippings of an uncle perished at sea
whose suitcase crossed the river of the dead
to come back home and tell the story
microfilm of my grandfather’s death certificate
ruling it a homicide by gunshot wound
engagement rings that took and a few that didn’t
but what i truly desire
to hold in my hands
then place into a glowing glass case
is the first copy of Gone With the Wind
my grandmother fell in love with Rhett Butler to