my box was antique blue
with a heart-shaped lock,
tiny key and gold filigree-
patterned lid, lifted fragilely
on two hinges to reveal tray
of velvety divided squares
my box held real jewelry,
leftovers from my mother
and grandmother which i
imagined in woke-dreams
they’d worn to royal teas
and exotic travels overseas
my box was old, well-used;
velvet rubbed bare in spots
till hinges broke irreparably
and i left childhood dreams
behind, discarded with box
but kept jeweled memories
______________
Patterned after Gillian Clarke’s poem, “My Box” and shared with Kim at dVerse poets OLN.
a poem in my pocket 
Apr 12, 2024 @ 17:42:08
Lynn, losing a cherished item like that is like losing a part of the family by the time the velvet has been rubbed smooth. Makes me think of The old horse in The Velveteen rabbit story.
Apr 13, 2024 @ 13:31:37
Awww, thanks, Lisa…loved reading that story to my sons when they were young!
Apr 13, 2024 @ 16:39:21
❤
Apr 11, 2024 @ 12:29:52
You make us see it so clearly and wonderfully through your eyes, Lynn, well-fingered and worn, even as it has been discarded for the “jeweled memories” that remain. Beautifully written, my friend.
Apr 11, 2024 @ 14:07:07
Well-fingered and worn…yes, exactly, Dora! Thanks for your comments 🙂
Apr 11, 2024 @ 14:22:30
Most welcome, Lynn. 💖
Apr 11, 2024 @ 03:05:37
There is nothing more personal and a source for imagination than old jewelry… sometimes with real personal stories.
Apr 11, 2024 @ 14:10:27
My mother had passed and now grandmother’s gone so I didn’t hear their personal experiences with the jewelry.
Apr 11, 2024 @ 02:54:15
What a beautiful box, Lynn! I love that it was ’antique blue’ and an heirloom, with real jewellery that piqued your imagination. So sad that it broke and you left ‘childhood dreams behind, discarded with box’ but happy that you kept the jewelled memories.
Apr 11, 2024 @ 14:11:48
It was beautiful, Kim, as are the memories (and I kept some of the jewelry too). Thanks for the great prompt!
Apr 11, 2024 @ 14:18:43
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Lynn!
Apr 11, 2024 @ 01:47:18
A lovely poem telling a sad tale.
Apr 11, 2024 @ 14:12:32
Thanks…yes, bittersweet.