Being There

Diamonds are a dangerous commodity.
Topaz brickettes pave lost roads 
for the unfortunate paths 
of bewildered Dorothy's
(and misguided second-removed cousins).
The birthday cards
I send myself,
are never returned to sender;
they're forwarded to you.

Rubies are ominous and a crucial burden.
Red. A vibrant statement.
Look at me! I'm red! 
Quite a pathetic gemstone.
(Dorothy - you need to re-dye your slippers).
The birthday cards you've sent me
are now forwarded back to you.
Diamonds and rubies 
are dangerous commodities.

Quartz tickles my fancy.
Limestone abandons my will.
Emeralds? I visted that city; once.
The PO Box for my re-routed
birthday cards are registered there.
My second-removed cousin
tiles his palacial floors with them.
Diamonds, rubies and emeralds are
dangerous commodities.

Sapphires are worthless crackerjacks.
Amethyst is a word that
(half the population of Idaho can't spell).
A Rock of Gibraltar. The man you needed.
The dupe you wanted.
The patsy who refrains from  
visiting your morosed petting zoos.
The gemstone you suckle?
Who is it?

No!

I'm not your diamond;
sweetheart.
Hardly, am I your ruby;
cupcake.
Perchance, an emerald? 
Doubtful! 
Quartz, limestone...a sapphire?
You orchestrate personal deaths 
upon the metallic
bands around your rhenoid fingers.
A gemstone I'm not a part of.

Being there - 
I was the part of your life
that was accidentally flung over 
rusty-coat hangers
stuffed in moth-ridden closets.
I was the gemstone 
that never glossed
your fancy fingers.

Diamonds?
Emeralds?
Rubies?
Sapphires?
Quartz?
Limestone?

No...pumice; 
my love.
Understand, pumice doesn't sink!
I'll pop back into mischievious
blackened-hearts anytime I please -
and you will welcome me for
a sincerity that warrrants no appraisals.

However, 
my utmost truisms sparkle 
decadent- bright
like diamonds -

a dangerous and rare
commodity.





.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Makama Avatar
May 12, 2016 at 11:48 AM
Beautiful in the most unique way.. Loving this piece so much
Wesley Avatar
August 30, 2012 at 9:03 AM
It's about timeI found you, amazing I've never seen your name before but think I can sink into your way with words John. Your jewels never quite made it to the top and Ilove the way youmake what is common so special. :) Elizabeth
Grisetti Avatar
August 27, 2012 at 4:25 AM
Now this is Visceral!
Heck Avatar
August 27, 2012 at 4:35 AM
Thanks, Joann...well, not my best but - read : The Internal Dying of Benjamin Tippett. Hugs, J
Babcock Avatar
August 20, 2012 at 4:17 PM
Wow this is a one gem of a poem and great analogy in using the precious stones. Well this will go to a fav on my list.
Song Avatar
December 29, 2011 at 9:04 AM
John.....I was looking for one of my fav poets to see if he posted anything new lately...Hope u are doing well....This is one outstanding write...I wonder what inspired you here? Love the analogy to precious stones...great stuff..gwendolen
Dietrich Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 10:46 PM
Great writing, John. I don't know how you figured it out, but when I try to post something long,I can't get it to go through! Well, congratulations. This was a very well crafted poem!
Jones Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 8:36 PM
dangerous indeed... this one has rock solid potential... revisit it, ifya care to. Congrats!
Taylor Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 7:58 PM
Congrats on your win, John. Nice going. Ralph
Kendrick Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 6:44 PM
Congrats on your win..Sara
Onclaud Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 3:17 PM
great to have you back, john... lovely phrasing with an element of suprise.. big CONGRATS..:) huggs, nette
Brown Avatar
August 9, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Congratulations on your placement in Caties' "Stoned" contest John. Love, Carol
Cooke Avatar
August 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM
i like this, quite a complicated write, nevertheless, good poetry, unusual but very good
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