Impurities

Corundum,
Naturally occurring
Aluminum oxide,
Second only to diamond
In hardness
Colorless when pure.

Used to make sandpaper
And emery cloth
To smooth rough edges
And round sharp corners.

Add a touch of chromium
And you have a ruby.
Vibrant red gives it worth.
Add some iron and titanium
And you have a sapphire
With its desirable blue shades.

It’s the impurities that make them valuable,
Worthy of a jewelry store showcase
Instead of a hardware store bin.
So it is with people too.
It’s the mixtures and the combinations,
The differences and the varieties
That make all of us
Jewels.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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