Most Prized

When I said
these books
are the thing I would save
were the house set aflame
you told me
that was silly,
I could just buy new ones.

When I said
these books
are my most prized possessions
I think
you misunderstood.

What I meant was

these books
my books

with wrinkled pages,
damaged by the eagerness
of my own fingertips,
discolored and stained,
worn and torn,

so obviously used,
so obviously loved,

These books,
where the DNA
of my childhood
shall outlive my own children

where all was well,
and where magic will
always
be
real

These
time capsules
irreplaceable memoirs

are my most prized possessions.