The collector

sorenbarrett

He collected things, a short piece of string, a warped washer too big for the rusted bolt and striped nut.
A small glittering woman doll of plastic, smudged and worn held by an elastic to a hollow broken man 
He kept everything in a single old cigar box, even in his relationships he had no care or discrimination
He held on to all things worthless

Comments +

Comments14

  • Alex Arnot

    Feels like the antithesis to the old saying about one man's trash. Well written good sir!

    • sorenbarrett

      Thank you so much for the read and comment Alex It is most appreciated and highly valued

    • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

      beautiful and a fav

    • Syd

      I know a few people like the person you've described here Sorenbarret.

      Well written - Syd 🍄

      • sorenbarrett

        Thank you Syd for your read of this poem and for your kind comment they are most appreciated

      • Teddy.15

        One man's garbage is another man's treasure 🌹

        • sorenbarrett

          Thanks so much my poetic friend for the read of this piece and your kind words of comment

        • arqios

          Felt poem. Perhaps as with beauty, value lies with the beholder. 🙏🏻🕊️

          • sorenbarrett

            Thank you my friend I do very much appreciate your reads and comments. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder and some find it harder than others to let go of.

          • Princess Osariemen Aihie

            I love this poetry. Well done sir

          • RSM0812

            Except his wife or no?

          • Paul Bell

            She always said she would throw me out with the rubbish.
            Probably why I hid the bin and recycled her.

          • Tristan Robert Lange

            Soren, what a thoughtful piece. I love how the seemingly random contents of the cigar box slowly become a portrait of the man who keeps them. By the final line, the objects aren't really the subject anymore...they've become a mirror. Beautiful work, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

            • sorenbarrett

              Thank you so much for the read and interpretation my friend. Indeed again you have picked up on a significant portion of the poem what we collect is indeed ourselves.

            • soheil khodaparasti

              A nice comparison between collecting worthless things and staying in an unhealthy relationship.

              • sorenbarrett

                Thank you so much for your read and comment. It is interesting to me how times have changed where once it was weakness to leave a relationship now it is weakness to stay with it. Where once love was meant to last a lifetime now it is transitory and the average marriage is two years. Once people lived together and wore off the rough edges over time now people have no patience for that and leave at the first sign of difficulty.

                • soheil khodaparasti

                  The problem you are referring to stems from changing values and ideas. We have read and heard a great deal about these changes, but it is only when we experience them ourselves that we truly understand the depth of the issue.

                  I think each relationship has its own story, and there is no single path that fits everyone. Sometimes love grows stronger through working through difficulties, while other times recognizing that a relationship is no longer healthy also takes courage. Perhaps what matters most is that decisions are made with care, respect, and compassion rather than in haste.

                  Of course, sometimes separation leaves irreparable scars—not only on the two people involved, but also on those who are close to each of them.

                  • sorenbarrett

                    Wisely said

                    • soheil khodaparasti

                      Thank you.

                      • sorenbarrett

                        Welcome

                      • Friendship

                        Nicely write. Your poem explores the theme of collecting and the emotional implications of holding onto things deemed worthless. It seems you suggest a deeper commentary on relationships and the human tendency to cling to memories, objects, or connections that may no longer serve a purpose.

                        • sorenbarrett

                          Thank you so much Friendship for your review and interpretation. Indeed all of that is most true and is most appreciated.

                        • Kevin Hulme

                          I think we all have alot of Worthless things hidden away somewhere.
                          I always find it Amazing when some Priceless piece of Art or Manuscript is found in a Attic or Drawer. Like it.

                          • sorenbarrett

                            Thank you Kevin I appreciate your read and comment. They are valued

                          • Samprikta Paul

                            This reminded me of my dad; he always has a habit of having things that seem useless to me and my mum, but to him, you never know! What it could come to use! Good one.

                            • sorenbarrett

                              Thank you Samprikta for the read and comment it is deeply appreciated

                            • falcon_mn

                              Thank you very much for your comment and for recognizing the potential in this poem.
                              Thanks!

                              • sorenbarrett

                                I think this one got misplaced



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