Where did you keep me?

Where did you keep me
while I was away?

Wrapped in burlap
safe from liars and
sub-floor drool?

Stashed in a corner
drapes pulled from voyeurs
telescopes, digital cameras

Did you protect me
from hands waving
claim tickets, gift receipts?

Shouting to an empty audience
“I saw her first
I saw her first!”

Was I curled at your feet
old dog with sagging hips
warming your toes?

Or in the bowels of your steam ship
paddles and turbines
keeping me honest

Did you send me for
saffron and indigo,
celery stalks?

Where did you keep me
while I was away,
and did I know enough
to stay?