Rock Collection

Back when I was younger

I used to collect stones from the places I’d been

Hoping that I’d never forget my adventures.

That one from Summer Camp, the shiny one from the beach. The dull one I found in the grass by the finish line after my first 5k...

I have failed.

the sparkly one from school, the one from middle school graduation, the one my sister painted for me....

The more I went,

that one from that Summer program I went to, I don’t know which one though, That one from Kentucky or Tennessee or that vacation a few years ago....

the more I gathered.

That one from that place, or is that one from that place.... or was it that place at all?...

Until I took a step back

And overlooked my collection

as it dawned on me.

They were no longer treasures.

They were rocks.