Heirlooms

After he retired
my Dad became a keen bowler.
Then my Mum got involved too.
They played in local leagues,
as a couple, and individually,
and won many trophies.
They displayed these
in a cabinet
and on the mantelpiece.

These once treasured prizes
are packed away now.
We’ve no space for them
on our surfaces.

For poetic effect
I was going to liken them
to discarded memories,
but that would be too harsh,
for I still recall the stories
of how some of them were won.
The fact that they’re no longer on show
is for practical reasons
and hurts no one.
Certainly my Mum and Dad wouldn’t mind,
that I do know.