They held his
his wallet,
with pouches
for “U.S. Currency,”
“Railroad Tickets,”
and “Notes”

a pencil,
for jotting down
text for speeches

nine news clippings
favorable
to his policies

a Confederate
5-dollar bill,
perhaps
a souvenir
of the recent fall
of Richmond

his pocket knife,
ivory and silver,
surprisingly delicate,
much used

one sleeve button

his gold watch fob,
the kind of thing
any person could
lose if not
tucked away

his glasses,
to which he
had made
a humble repair
with a string

a replacement pair,
as a precaution,
in case this repair
did not hold

a lens polisher
and a buffer,

and a linen handkerchief
with its simple
red monogram:
A. Lincoln.