[Erik Olson]

Unpolished gems, no ray on pride bestow;
And latent metals innocently glow:
Here stored rings my great grandsire had to trust
We would keep sacred, lay bequeathed to dust.
Rich in refulgent robes, now few shall be
When most hide lustre under lock and key.

We peek the awkward grace of sparklers,
Snigger, shut up again in attic drawers
To hush his pocket-watches' ticks and tocks:
What stays me is not their old English box
(Half gold and half enamel nécessaire),
Not public office symboled with a flair,
Not that they ring the time, but all, they show
Essentials in a time we cannot know.
I glean the well-dressed, upright gentleman
Great grandad was and how he thought back then.
s