She collects dolls,
Babies, she calls them,
Little darlings, children – honey
Like a mother, she touches them,
Piecing together clothing for infants, toddlers –
Girls and boys who might
Tell her she is better than she believes
In her heart, where she can see
The darkness, the doubt, the dreadful
Things that make her, despite her best intentions,
Still human – still human after all is said
And done, she is still only human
He collects trinkets, cars,
Toys that once thrilled some child,
Eager little inventions
Bold flames on their sides,
Burgundy and yellow, cobalt blue
Reflecting the joy in his face
When he sees a new car, a new bauble
Some small joy that blazes
With inspirations that amaze him,
Enriching his collection, his assortment
Grows, like the leaves in spring,
Beneath a noonday sun, who sweetens
Even the grief with the belief
That this is fantastic, all this greed
For these jewels he believes
Are far more beautiful than others see
My aunt collects plants,
Everywhere in her house, sitting
On shelves, lining the window
Seals, green – like gentle promises,
Every shape and color of green,
Growing, nurtured by the sun, the
Watering she does every week –
After she plucks the drier leaves and
Tucks them away in the trash,
Where they can’t see
The way she talks to the remnant,
Fading beneath her words
Peaceful and dreaming of a world
Where sun and rain erase
Even the shadows that create
Whispers of grace surrounding
Hands who grow more than weeds,
These floras know the rich,
Vibrant touch of her faithful, cultivating
Darkness collects stars
Shimmering, toasting the universe
With breathless miracles,
Hues of beautiful covering the night
Bringing wishes to the heart,
Inspiring music in the thoughts,
Using the nocturnal – the dusty dusk,
To silence the fears, wash away
Lost tears so that there is
Reverence for the One who created
Such wonder, such joy –
Peace beyond the soul’s expectations
As the darkness continues
To hold the moon at its heart,
Promising the glimmering rumors
From the legends in the sky
To surprise love with a song, like a psalm
Meant for the One who we know
As God, the love who lights
Day and night with His embrace,
The kiss of insight, grace that desires
Only to listen to our prayers, heal
And destroy every fear, every tear
With love that is forever near
Of every collection, every collector
Knows, deep down inside,
The only collection that truly matters,
The only compilation that is designed
To bring life from death…
Is the collection of souls that we know
Come to life because He is alive
And He shows the way to eternal life
With the One who made us all,
The heart and soul, the moon and stars
With love that decides when
To collect us all – together,
so we can live with Him, forever!