treasure

Written 02/08/04

ethereal traces
you leave on me
treasured like jewels
in my secret coffer
from time to time
i take them out
and admire them
roll them in my palms
these delightful baubles
i know, certainly
like all treasures of the world
these will fade away
to be abandoned
for newer shinier trinkets
yet i treasure them
while their novelty lasts
is it silly of me?
ought i not to harbour them?
one day i shall meet him
who will gently take my hand
and my secret coffer
then place mine on his own
hand in hand
we pour them out on the earth
bury them where they belong
ashes to ashes
dust to dust.
so i wait patiently
with my secret coffer
for that one
who offers me
the most precious thing
a man can give
to a woman.