It was just a little box made of popsicle sticks, painted with Cotillion Pink nail polish, with a shell glued to the top, lined with cloth. But for Mom, it was a treasure because I made it just for her.
THE PRECIOUS BOX
My mother’s “precious box” held sentimental doodads
The box was left to me when she died
Inside were Grandma’s fake diamond screwback earrings
(“Real ladies” didn’t pierce their ears in those days)
Grandpa’s ring, raw turquoise set in carved silver
Girl Scout leader pins, Dad’s cufflinks
A clip-on box tie from Mom’s singing days
And a skeleton key, antique silver, dim patina
For years I’ve pondered what lock would respond; where the “open sesame” lay
A room in a past apartment, the front door to a secret house?
A desk filled with dusty volumes of Kipling and Whitman
Perhaps a cache of cash?
Somewhere there is a house, a door, a drawer
Whose treasures will remain hidden
Because I hold in my palm
The answer to a question
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Marie Elena
This sounds like a book begging to be written!
Sharp Little Pencil
Actually, I am compiling all the stories Mom told me (many while in her cups, and lots of them awesomely funny and quirky) and my experiences growing up with the Irish side of my family.
The Dad side, the Mayflower Society snobs, I’m not bothering with!! Booooooring…
Thanks for the comments, Marie! A.
vivinfrance
I can’t wait to read it! Your Mother’s box held intrinsic treasures, but you hold the real treasure in your memory.
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Viv, thank you so much for that. Spurs me on to get a-writin’!
Jingle
cute and sweet.
Jingle
unknown but haunting and precious treasure, that”s a treasure in poetic form.
beautiful write.
Jingle
here is mine!
😉
Sharp Little Pencil
Went to your site and loved the poem. You’ll find a comment there – thx for sharing!
Sharp Little Pencil
Are their multiple Jingles, or are you writing off two different spaces?
Jingle
I have three blog,
besides the one you have left comment,
please visit my public poetry blog:
and my blogger account:
http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/
here are some awards 4 u:
http://itistimetothinkformyself.blogspot.com/2010/07/pinks-in-6-words-i-wish-u-award-winning.html
RiikaInfinityy
I love this secretive and mysterious poem 😀 Thank for sharing =D
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for visiting! I’ll hop on over to your blog and see what’s up! Amy
uponthewingsofnight
I enjoyed this poem, especially the last two lines. It reminds me of when I made my dad a couple of wood wall hangings in the shape of flying ducks. Unfortunately he has long since lost those during the various moves he made in his life. At least I still have that memory and my father.
Sharp Little Pencil
No one can take away your memories, that’s what my mom always said. And she’s right. Sometimes memories are easier because you don’t have to lug stuff along every time you move. I’ve pared down a lot of things that used to seem so significant, to simplify my life.
I have an affinity for skeleton keys, always have… Thanks for commenting, Brett. Peace, Amy
uponthewingsofnight
I have, from time to time, looked through boxes of old letters and cards that I have collected over the years. The first time I did this I discovered that some of the letters were from 25 years ago! I still save stuff like that because each card and letter is a snapshot of that time period. Brett