The box now long gone. 

The one I kept hidden beneath all  the others.

What it held inside was much more than its contents,

and looked like something of my mother's.

It could never be shown or worn,

to anyone. 

Where did that come from, asked with suspicion...

A sour look of scorn.

So there it stayed, year after year,  buried

like treasure never found.

The occasional peek inside,

seeing the intrinsic beauty so pure and white.

What it really meant to the giver

when I knew all too well,  it just wasn't right?

Just slide onto my wrist seeing how it would look,

the thought of a secret held was all it took

to quickly return it to that secret nook.

The years gone by, the box still intact

I shuddered to remember that one cold fact.

What could I do with this precious gift,

never to look in his eyes or to react.

It seemed such a waste,

hidden from the world it was.

Yet still mine to keep, 

 a bitter pill to taste.

It carried with it such value and charm.

An offer of what?

The answer I could never hear

fearing the reality and impending harm.

It simply had to go;

never to be seen again.

The money received would go a long way,

taking me and my two so far, far away.

 T'was for a good cause,

this I knew

hearing each night as they would pray.

Gone forever now...

 I had made it through.

And in the end

there was just one catch.

Inside the box

there were earrings to match!