An Alternate Universe Where I Still Know You by Bianca Delos Reyes

My mother handed me a worn, brown box

‘Throw away what you

Don’t need anymore.’

I sift through the papers that

I didn’t even know I had

I set some aside,

With the intent to dispose.

Underneath the pile

Of papers and lost memories

Were five polaroids

From another universe.

The smiling faces are people

I do not recognize,

Not anymore.

I place them back in the box

To return to the owner.