Glass door chimed, my eyes
locked upon it’s beautiful.
Stars within a stone; who knew?
A sister of your flesh— glistening.
3,225 dollars.

I wore the good jeans, remember?
White velvet box, white Air 1s.
You’re lucky I loved you.
This blue stone blindsided you
while your love, green eyes, white teeth,
blinded me.

White dove, a sister of your gown.
That summer morning I held your
lotioned hand in mine; you were divine.
Red wine in your chalice, rhinestones
on the thumbs of your
winter painted nails, accompanied,
your silver band full of stars.

It was beautiful in the sun.
Palms swinging, water dripping
from your hair, your shoulders—your ring
that you didn’t want to get wet.
Breakfast in bed, honey and jelly.
I provided what you deserved.

Although, you didn’t deserve that.
I denied, I apologized, I pleaded.
It looked at me the way you did,
losing its stars, dark, the night
you discovered who she was—
daughter of your mother.

I hadn’t seen her since the wedding;
she smiled that day.
But here we are now— stone in box,
no more shine.
White papers, black ink, ready to be signed.

by. Philip G. Steverson