Catchall

by John D. Berry

Back our way,

We have these places

Called "catchalls."

All sizes and shapes,

They hold

What once was:

Drawers, trunks,

Old cars or trucks.

Everybody's got one.

When Ma-Maw passed on,

I remembered this one,

We went out and got it.

An old trunk,

40 plus years that I knew,

Stacked in the barn.

This little catchall

Held many things

From days gone:

A 'button' that said,

"To Hell with the Kaiser,"

Still bright red.

Love letters

To my Pa-Paw,

Away in WWI.

News clips with no date

About work

At Hoover Dam;

A trench knife,

Complete with Knuckle dusters

On the handle;

Some pens

And pencils;

A pocket knife;

All Pa-Paws voting slips

From 1919-1924;

A trench lighter;

So many things.

In a small catchall

For important things

From life.

I wonder what my grandchild

Will find in mine.

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