We collect things, hence we have invented the box:-
the in-box,
the out-box,
the not sure why so I’ll put-it-in-a-cupboard box.
Where would we be without the box
to label,
embellish and
stack?
– without the colours of Christmas decorations,
mustiness of old photographs,
or twinkle of precious jewellery?
– without the tiers of celebration cakes,
blister packs of pills,
or donations for a good cause?
Without a box, we are left with a higgledy-piddledy pile of uncollectables:-
the spontaneous laughter at the same old story from way past its sell by date,
the fate of the lost canard in that restaurant which had a name and was abroad,
and the unforgettable journey we shared together in the same lifetime.
Great take on the prompt.
Not sure you need the first line… how would it be if you merged stanzas 1 & 2, but started with ‘Where would we be without…’ ? Stanzas 3 & 4 continue from that line anyway…
The turn in the final stanza works really well, as does the change of form. Super.