where have you been

she'd collect
sand
from every land she
went to.
Timbuktu,
rhode island,
ocean city,
istantbul.
she kept the handful
of grains,
dirty blonde or white,
golden,
even black,
in small mason
jars
in the cellar.
marked clearly
with tape
and black ink
the places time
and dates.
if someone came over
she'd march them
into the basement
and say there you go,
this is where
I've been,
how about you?