Heirloom

by Charles Troob

A round silver box
found in London
finely embossed
the lid a Persian miniature
lion ox house tree
an elaborate flowery band
on the circumference–
and only ten pounds!

Small delicate
perfect for Mother
how grown up I felt
bearing a treasure

The true treasure–
uncomplicated love–
lives on in silver
lion ox house tree
slightly tarnished
Chinese not Persian
(what did I know?)
light but weighty

A group of IRP members meets with Sarah White each Wednesday morning to learn from the work of published poets and from each other.  What a gift!