Life is a String of Boxes

My life is a string of boxes
Filled with collections I hold
Pieces of experiences, emotions
And relics of moments in time.

I am an amalgamation of my past,
A book of chapters that are often seemingly unrelated.
Yet when read together they express a life well lived.

Names, places, and things travel through
Some stay for years, and other are only there for a moment.
Many come and go,
Making a guest appearance,
Before moving on once more.

In each collection there are mementos
That remind me of these moments
Births, deaths, celebrations,
A trip that changed my life,
Or a person who filled my heart.

These treasures mark times
I have enjoyed, grown,
Been challenged and sometimes succeeded.

This time capsule matters to no one but me.
Monetary value is not important to be part of this collection
The value is the memories
And they fade away on my passing.

Those who loved me
May choose a memento
To add to their time capsule
Which carries my legacy forward.
Expressing another well-lived life.

Cheryl McDonald 2023©

If you would like to hear me read this poem, please click below.

Life is a String of Boxes, is a graphite and colored pencil drawing I did for an illustration class. Choosing items from a box to create a collage of unrelated objects into an interesting composition. I was really happy with this drawing even though these are not my personal relics, but they made me think of the things we collect throughout our lives that capture memories for us. The poem was created to further develop this thought.

It is interesting though that I do tend to collect similar things, bones, feathers, just bits of things because of their unusual shape, color, or character, and often they do make it into art pieces I create. I may have to do more drawings like this. I think it would be wonderful to create story collages of objects. I have seen this done by collage artists who actually combine objects as a sculpture piece.

It seems as I grow older and accumulate more of these momentos, I find that many have lost their magic and I am able to let them go to a new home if recyclable or to the trash if not. Maybe putting them in art pieces is a way I can give them a new life in a new way. I know from experience that my children will want very few of the actual things when I pass so if they no longer have meaning to me it is best just to let them go. If only because as my life continues, I will collect more and that becomes a space issue.

It is always a pleasure to me when I run across these mementos in drawers, on cabinets or wherever, to hold them and remember the meaning and the memory behind them. I am sure you know exactly what I mean.

Have a Happy Day!

Cheryl