Stuff From a Shelf Life

my life's collage is packed carefully in crumpled newspaper and old towels does love have given values? some things - a small, wooden, goofy-faced Vladimir; an angelic cow, all wings and pleading eyes; a dancing Hungarian girl; things that seem silly to be so loved, but these bits of who-I-am wander with me if you open the boxes will the tears drown you or will they have dried to a salty crust my heart is in separate pieces cushioned by hope perishables enclosed contents fragile some assembly required handle with care