Ellin Anderson

RARITY

Ellin Anderson

You said that you would meet me,
And, I glowed —
I only half believed you;
Then, it snowed,

So I stood in the store lights'
Hollow glare,
And ate the bread and water
Of despair.

My life was laid on sable
Velveteen —
Gold chains with diamond watches
In between,

The foursquare cases angled
With stark rules
For galaxies of spangles —
Sparkling jewels

I sold to men and women
Of fashion
To gather modest wages:
My ration

Within a buzzing hive of
Sharpened wings,
And honey without sweetness,
Only stings.

I heard the antique wall-clock
Dole out ticks;
At last, it paused and shuddered,
Chiming six,

And then — behind a patron's
Gleaming fur,
Brown hair above a black coat:
There you were.

Within the snowy garden,
All was warm,
I only saw two sapphires
In a storm,

Elixir of the ruby's
Verity,
Fair compensation paid — this
Rarity.