Souvenir Items.... Poem by RIC BASTASA

one takes a part
only of the whole
to remind you
of everything.

that is the secret
of remembering.

for instance, when
i went to Iceland,
i only pick a pebble
which i got near the
geyser.

a leaf from Vienna
was enough, which i put
between the pages of
my favorite novel.

the most usual thing
which is easier to carry
is a ref magnet.

no postcards this time
but some pictures in my
cellphone.

in the Buddhist temple
in taiwan, i only took with
me within my lungs
the cold air there and many
are wondering if
it stays there

i am sure. For as long
as i live, it will always be
there


for now, all the ref magnets
fell, losing their magnetic grip
on the metal plates

i still believe in air, it
is lasting. Next time i will take
a chunk of Tibet's cloud.

or perhaps sunshine from Mongolia
as though it is like a note which
i keep inside my pocket.