Tennyson said that we are a part
of all that we have met.
Bits of me
carried off
what have you each done
with me?
Do you hold that semester delicately
the train ride through Spain
is it dusty and neglected
trumped by all that has come after
the stranger at the park yesterday
how did you categorize me
mother
someone’s wife
cute girl
nice lady.
Perhaps this is why
old people read
obituaries.
They are anxious to know
when the pieces of
their past
their selves
are returned to
sender.