To Have But Not To Hold

I cannot offer a gift for you to hold,
no millefiori paperweight of brightly coloured glasses,
or fancy timepiece cast from golds of yellow and white,
for it could never rest, smooth and heavy, within your open hands,
or sit proudly marking time upon your sun-tanned wrist,
fated instead to be cast aside in guilty haste;
a bittersweet secret buried beneath time’s fallen sands.

Born of heartfelt words,
that need not be brandished or worn outwardly,
neither be hidden away in a dark and airless closet,
my gift to you lies deep within my own heart,
remaining without exception,
promising love, support and friendship always.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Brown Avatar
July 8, 2010 at 6:57 AM
Congratulations Sharon on your win in Joe Flach's contest "A Poem That Doesn't Rhyme". Love, Carol
Richards Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 12:53 PM
The best gift one can give...is friendship. A lovely poem, a lovely thought. Nicely written, and beautiful with sentiment! Congratulations, Sharon. ~ Carrie
 Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM
What an uplifting poem. Nice use of imagery. Congratulations on your win in Joe's contest. Keep up the good writing! Karen
Johnson Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 10:49 AM
What a lovely gift. congratulationa on your win. Love, Joyce
Dietrich Avatar
July 7, 2010 at 10:31 AM
Congrats on your HM. I am down here with you, but I am reading so many wonderful poems, they all deserved to win and I am glad I did not judge this contest! Luv, Andrea
Fraser Avatar
July 4, 2010 at 11:47 AM
What incredible treasures to offer, you will be deluged with friendship on the Soup Sharon >> James
Kendrick Avatar
July 4, 2010 at 6:09 AM
Great gift to offer someone...Enjoyed the reading of your work..Sara
Dietrich Avatar
July 3, 2010 at 11:43 PM
An exeptional title for an exceptional poem, Sharon. I fully expect to see this in the winner circle. (do make sure it is entered, PLEASE) Luv, Andrea
Culverhouse Avatar
July 3, 2010 at 8:45 PM
well written, enjoyed reading today!
Mehta Avatar
July 3, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Well penned thoughts on passionate yearning of the heart, Sharon
Sweetheart Avatar
July 3, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Lovely Sharon.. enjoyed a wonderful creative write from your gifted pen.. with luv from the "Sweetheart" in Hawaii..AlohA..
Devonshire Avatar
July 3, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Dear Sharon, the gift within your heart means far more than any other. Beautifully written poem and I can appreciate this message. Have a wonderful weekend! Love, Carolyn
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace