Poems & Stories

Jewelry Box

Bright and shiny
sparkling things
beaded necklaces
bracelets
earrings that clip on
which I can wear since
you won't let me
get my ears pierced.
I get to play with them
since I am careful
and they are not
real jewels.
The fish necklace
with red eyes
is from Israel
and so is the
olive wood cross.
The brooches
are flowers
with perpetual dew
that never fade.
I try them all on
one at a time.
Or two at a time.
Sometimes I put lots on.
I walk downstairs.
I want to show you
how I sparkle.
"Look, Mommy,"
I say.
Mommy gasps.
"That ring,
where did you find it?"
"Where did I find it?"
I ask. "I found it in your
jewelry box. Isn't it pretty?"
"Oh honey, that
is your Grandmother's
mothers ring
with all our birthstones.
My brothers and sisters
and I got that for Grandma
a long time ago.
I thought it was lost."
I took off the ring and held it up.
"Lost? It wasn't lost,
it was in your jewelry box.