Poems (Scudder)/Old Jewelry
SONNETS
OLD JEWELRY
A narrow band of velvet worn and frayed, Its two ends prisoned by a buckle set With yellowed seed-pearls, tiny cones of jet; A cluster of pink coral surely made To grace a dainty ear, though I'm afraid The dangling pendant's lost. More precious yet This massive golden brooch, its careful fret With mellow-tinted cairngorms all inlaid. What of the supple wrist the ribbon bound, Perhaps a lover's gift? The rosy ear That heard his plea? What of the "breste of snowe" That throbbed beneath the brooch's shining round The day she walked out bride? Alas, I fear Dust of the churchyard long and long ago.