Be a Gem
 
“With just eight ounces of cremated remains and a few thousand dollars, anyone can turn deceased love ones into colorful [diamond] carats.”
​                               - MSNBC
 
Such a lovely girl, a treasure. What a shame to let her forever
quiver six feet under, when you could keep her here forever.
 
Gods sob diamonds, said the Greeks. Others put diamonds in mouths
and houses to ward off fevers, liars, phantoms forever.
 
It’s like keeping her curls in a locket, but better. So hold your sweetheart
close with a princess cut, and let her rest on your chest forever.
 
Why not consider another? A ring to celebrate your father, your tragic
baby brother? There’ll be enough carbon left—it measures forever.
 
Meteors harbor diamonds so tiny trillions could frill
the head of a pin. Together, they sequin our forever.
 
Its powder poisoned sultans and popes. Rebels macheted arms and legs
to serve its lure. Diamond always meant “to tame.” Later came “forever.”
 
I could lower her, scatter her, wear her as jewels on my wrist.
No matter. Over’s over—not one murmur of forever.


Published in Barrow Street