OLD FRIEND

I kept it for her.
It was something I saw in Egypt
that I thought suited her.
It wasn't much--
just a dyed camel bone necklace,
a set of rosy-pink coin-sized
disks
strung together.

The events for which such a gift
would have been
appropriate
came and went like the seasons.

The necklace now lies in my
desk drawer
among old coins and
unused stamps.
I see it ever so often
when I am
rummaging around
looking for something
I knew I had put away
for safe-keeping.

The reason for buying it
is gone,
but the necklace
is a part of me now,
like a sweet old friend
who drops by now and then
to say hello.

Jim Morgan  January 30, 2011