Someone I loved once
		gave me a box 
		full of darkness.

		It took me years
		to understand
		that this, too,
		was a gift.
								~Mary Oliver

Sorry; you reminded me of someone
who used to stand just like that, almost. I 
knew him a long time ago; loved
him. As you see, I still think of him once
in a while - at least, the thought comes. He gave me
no promises. 

					Later, I packed a box
of mementos - packed it full of
dried daisies, smooth stones,
					kisses in the darkness.

I knew he wouldn’t be back.
					  It took me
a step-stool, a phone book, and a couple years
to put it on the closet shelf — 
					you have to understand,
I had to push it so far back that
I couldn’t see it, until earlier this
year, when I moved. I brought it with me, too,
able to see now that the essence 
					 of those days was a gift.