Muse

If I could pick one thing

            one thing to ground me, never to lose

I would choose the song of a Connecticut robin

            chirps that elicit smiles in the springtime

I’d preserve the tink-tink-tinkering

            plucks of those little metal boxes

Mama used to wind up and rapture my eyes

            and ever winding gears in my mind, fascinated

I would shove into my pockets

            the Psalms and verses I sang as a child

Pull them out whenever I need them

            flatten out the crinkled pages to inspire me

I would memorize every tune I ever sang

            ever played over black and white keys

Ever heard my sister pluck and bow from her violin

            or that I ever improvised, harmonized

I’d bring an all-in-one instrument

            with a latch that lowered a keyboard

And a compartment for a guitar

            a roll-out door with a drum set attached

If I could pick one thing

            one thing to hold forever, to tie me down

I’d bring the chorus of laughter of those I love

            those captured in the melody of memories