Common Threads

 

In a haunted jewelry box

a platinum wedding band of 

an unknown groom 

worn and found on the ground 

by a donation bin 

advertised, unclaimed 

an accidental loss 

or intended donation?

waiting on a heartvein finger 

of someone in love

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told

 Not Yet 9

In a haunted jewelry box

where a gold Playboy bunny ring 

with a diamond always  

echoed shadowy laughter 

from its sentimental corner 

found by a high school friend 

received as a gag gift 

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

 

In a haunted jewelry box

an engagement ring 

and wedding band 

once clamped tightly in its box

with a receipt from 1985

Levy Jewelers in the 

Savannah, Georgia mall

one oval quarter carat diamond

two smaller round ones on each side 

cursed in its hope for a future bride 

waiting for a way to shine again 

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

 Not Yet 7

In a haunted jewelry box 

where a wedding band 

worn by my great great grandmother

given to me as a gift from

my parents at my first wedding 

once tucked safely in the ring folds 

waiting for a granddaughter’s wedding to continue the legacy 

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

 

Not Yet 6

In a haunted jewelry box 

where a gold Omega chain-

an anniversary gift with slides

that came as later gifts-

diamond slide

amethyst slide and others 

once safely nestled in its 

velvet and satin buttoned case

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

 

in a gift box 

where a pearl bracelet 

waits to be opened 

Christmas morning

precious stones from

a hardened shell 

taken from the sludgy mud 

of a bottom-dwelling world 

for a daughter starting 

a new chapter 

there is a story

waiting to be told 

Not Yet 5 

In a haunted jewelry box 

where a small diamond chip ring

-a Christmas gift in 1979 

from Santa –

marked for a granddaughter 

when she turns 13

used to be snuggled tightly between 

the pillowy foam ring folds

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

 

Not Yet 4

In a haunted jewelry box 

where a teardrop gold-set onyx 

with a K (for Kim) in diamonds 

once hung on its long gold chain

inside the wooden door 

a gift from parents at Christmas 

to bestow to a future K

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

 

Not Yet 3

In the haunted jewelry box 

where the wedding gift necklace 

of trinity gold 

from my loving groom 

once hung sentimentally

from its top gold door hook 

cherished as a loving memory

worn to remember, to celebrate

the day we wed

there is a story 

that cannot yet be told 

Not Yet 2 

In the haunted jewelry box

where the diamond tennis bracelet

with the extra security clasp 

(an ironic twist of a feature 

in so many ways) 

once lay beautifully in its

pillowy pink velvet section 

to be given to our only granddaughter 

on her wedding day 

there is a story to tell

that cannot yet be told