To the Thief Who Stole My Grandpa's Ring

I wonder why you stole it – 
As a trade-in for some food?
To pay a debt or maybe just
‘Cause you were in the mood?

Perhaps you simply liked the style – 
A squarish flat red stone
Set into gold, quite possibly
The nicest thing you’d own.

My grandpa made it easy – 
In the hospital, in bed.
Was he still breathing when you took it
Or already dead?

As a kid, I liked to touch it,
Feel the smoothness of the gem.
My brothers liked it, too – 
It should be worn by one of them.

But no, you had to have it
For the family, wracked by grief,
Didn’t think about the chance
Of being ripped off by a thief.


*This happened over 50 years ago but 
I either never knew about it or had forgotten
it. My brother recently reminded me of the
story. A diamond lapel pin was also taken.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022


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Date: 1/15/2022 11:08:00 PM
This is sadly so realistic, I knew it was real. How awful!
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Date: 1/13/2022 12:02:00 PM
what a punch to the gut, ilene... i'm sorry for the sorrow this caused and continues to this day. if only criminals knew of the pain they cause by their actions.
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Date: 1/12/2022 8:41:00 AM
I don't know how these scumbags sleep at night Ilene. I believe in Karma. Tom
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Date: 1/11/2022 1:56:00 PM
A mystery..sad in grief! We had house guests who stole some things. One was a jade ring. I gave my oldest one of my rings and the jade wasn’t supposed to go to my other daughter. Only God knows…
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Date: 1/11/2022 11:25:00 AM
Ilene I am sorry that happened to your family. That is really awful.--Your poem tells the story so well, that I am angry for you.
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Date: 1/11/2022 11:22:00 AM
Like packrats, some people steal simply because it is there, and have no empathy at all for their victims. I always go to swap meets and thrift stores in search of opal pendant I had made for my wife which was stolen. Enjoyed, Ilene! Aloha!
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Date: 1/11/2022 11:18:00 AM
aww this is so sad on so many levels, what a pity you were never able to retrieve it, hugs Jan xx
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