have you seen my stamps

he used to collect stamps.

all kinds.
different countries, rare
stamps,
limited editions.

it's what he thought about
morning, noon and night.

it was his life.
these tiny squares with the

faces of presidents on them,
inventors,
writers,
poets and astronauts.

he kept the books in a safe,
but was quick
to bring them out when anyone
came over.

did I show you my stamp
collection, he'd say,
and regardless of your answer

they'd come out. hour after
hour
he'd turn the page
and give you the history
of each

stamp, there was no escape.

and when he died, they got
tossed into bags
and thrown out.

I miss him. crazy stamp collector.