sharing the good stuff

my mother always told me
i had to save my good stuff
keep it for another day

so my prettiest colouring books
went uncoloured
my toys sat on their shelf

her best dresses stayed in plastic
her engagement ring hidden
in its box

what my mother never learned
was that if you save your good stuff for too long
one day there'll be no one to share it with you

Paula Harris

Published in SPIN 32
November 1998