An Elder's Ode to a Jewelry Box

An ode.

Oak and jade, a jewelry box

Collecting gems, collecting stones

You wear them wise, ol’ silver fox.

They shan’t be lost, forgot, unknown

You keep them safe and take care of 

Your trinkets stowed on pillows sewn.

They’re memory of your late loves

Though humble, parsimonious

They shine and sing like mourning doves

What once you wore, harmonious

With how you felt: melodious

Oak and jade, a jewelry box

Its remnants of emollient ruth 

Black pearls of past, their lovers stalked.

They’re matches for the flames of youth

For haunting past’s credulity

They’re what you once believed was truth.

You cherish charms so prudently

You pay your solemn remembrance

To save two friends, presumably

Reminiscent of innocence

Luminescent adolescence

 

Quaint drawers hide chains from holiday

Cushions clasping broken promise

Fetching pardon, hidden away.

From Cracker Jack, ol’ Adonis,

A ring with typists’ key glued thrice

His initials, mere coincidence

This country charm remains concise.

Though fond, you feel, homage stays slight

It’s metal grips what’s cold as ice

To don today you’ll feel contrite

Release the doves, release your knight.

Oak and jade, a jewelry box

Collecting gems, collecting stones

You wear them wise, ol’ silver fox.

Mere sentiment cannot atone

Doves sing forlorn if never freed

These gems are nevermore your own.

Release your knight, your beads, they bleed 

Unfetter your nostalgic clasp

Consider this your only deed.

Mature my queen, you are no asp

Tis rude to hold too tight a grasp.