The Family Jewels

[TheFifthElement]

On our wedding night
you gave me
a matching set,
necklace and bracelets -
a family tradition, passed down
from father to son.
I was unprepared for
this impulsive gift,
I cried, a little,
struck by the sudden
gesture, and unexpected
force of your affection.

In the mirror I traced
the delicate twirls
of gold, like lace, with
mindless fascination.
I felt the heavy history
weighted in fingertip whorls
of emerald, amethyst,
knuckles of rubies.
Winking crescent moons
peeked between
the jewels smiling,
apologetic little smiles.

Over time you would add
to my collection
a set of anklets,
brooches, garters,
jewel encrusted glasses,
each piece hand-crafted
with exquisite workmanship.
In the mirror I would smile,
admiring the vibrant colours
on my skin, the family jewels,
passed down from father to son.
Your mother’s dead eyes
smile back,
apologetic little smile.

[andave_ya]

Woah! very vivid and very nice. I liked "knuckles of rubies."

[PrinceMyshkin]

On our wedding night
you gave me
a matching set,
necklace and bracelets -
a family tradition, passed down
from father to son.
I was unprepared for
this impulsive gift,
I cried, a little,
struck by the sudden
gesture, and unexpected
force of your affection.

In the mirror I traced
the delicate twirls
of gold, like lace, with
mindless fascination.
I felt the heavy history
weighted in fingertip whorls
of emerald, amethyst,
knuckles of rubies.
Winking crescent moons
peeked between
the jewels smiling,
apologetic little smiles.

Over time you would add
to my collection
a set of anklets,
brooches, garters,
jewel encrusted glasses,
each piece hand-crafted
with exquisite workmanship.
In the mirror I would smile,
admiring the vibrant colours
on my skin, the family jewels,
passed down from father to son.
Your mother’s dead eyes
smile back,
apologetic little smile.

I liked any number of the images in this, the delicate procession of the gifts that marked the steady march of his love for you - and was bowled over (and mystified) by the last three lines. I absolutely cannot guess at or intuit the reasons for the mother's apologetic smile!

[TheFifthElement]

I liked any number of the images in this, the delicate procession of the gifts that marked the steady march of his love for you - and was bowled over (and mystified) by the last three lines. I absolutely cannot guess at or intuit the reasons for the mother's apologetic smile!

Perhaps because the jewels were not so welcome, but instead something more sinister. Perhaps I was too subtle, again! Love takes many forms. For women it is not all chocolates and roses, or jewels, for that matter.

[ampoule]

I liked any number of the images in this, the delicate procession of the gifts that marked the steady march of his love for you - and was bowled over (and mystified) by the last three lines. I absolutely cannot guess at or intuit the reasons for the mother's apologetic smile!

Oh, I think I understood this perfectly. The mother knows/knew what is/was in store for you. This is a wonderful poem fifth.

[firefangled]

Fifth, I love the details in this and the heightening of the images by weighting them with unusual descriptives. This reminds me a little of a Sharon Olds poem about her mother's jewels. If I can find it I will post it.

Anyway, great poem. I really enjoyed every line.

[Virgil]

Very nice Fifth. I really think it is good.


On our wedding night
you gave me
a matching set,
necklace and bracelets -
a family tradition, passed down
from father to son.
I was unprepared for
this impulsive gift,
I cried, a little,
struck by the sudden
gesture, and unexpected
force of your affection.
:lol: I was off on a different tangent. But I assume there was a pun there.


My favorite lines:

In the mirror I traced
the delicate twirls
of gold, like lace, with
mindless fascination.

[dibyendra]

On our wedding night
you gave me
a matching set,
necklace and bracelets -
a family tradition, passed down
from father to son.
I was unprepared for
this impulsive gift,
I cried, a little,
struck by the sudden
gesture, and unexpected
force of your affection.

In the mirror I traced
the delicate twirls
of gold, like lace, with
mindless fascination.
I felt the heavy history
weighted in fingertip whorls
of emerald, amethyst,
knuckles of rubies.
Winking crescent moons
peeked between
the jewels smiling,
apologetic little smiles.

Over time you would add
to my collection
a set of anklets,
brooches, garters,
jewel encrusted glasses,
each piece hand-crafted
with exquisite workmanship.
In the mirror I would smile,
admiring the vibrant colours
on my skin, the family jewels,
passed down from father to son.
Your mother’s dead eyes
smile back,
apologetic little smile.

Very nice one Fifth ! A collection of fine words scattered here in this poem. Women are really fond of jeweleries. ;)

[Sweets America]

I really enjoyed this poem. The intimacy of it. My favorite lines are the same as Virgil's. I love the idea of this silent moment when you timidly get acquainted with the jewelry. I love the history that they bear.

[Sweets America]

Jesus!!! Jerry just explained to me the meaning of this poem and I see I had not understood at all, like a lot of people who responded! Now that I read it with this different view, it sounds terrible! That's a very sad and nice piece of work.

[symphony]

this is good, this is very good, this is very very good.

[Virgil]

Jesus!!! Jerry just explained to me the meaning of this poem and I see I had not understood at all, like a lot of people who responded! Now that I read it with this different view, it sounds terrible! That's a very sad and nice piece of work.

I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about. I think there is in pun like I mentioned before on family jewels (should i spell it out, slang for man's testicles :blush: ) but I'm not getting the rest of the sadness that you mention Sweets. I think it's all a bit mysterious. One is drawn into the mystery of it. :)

[Sweets America]

I'm not exactly sure what you're talking about. I think there is in pun like I mentioned before on family jewels (should i spell it out, slang for man's testicles :blush: ) but I'm not getting the rest of the sadness that you mention Sweets. I think it's all a bit mysterious. One is drawn into the mystery of it. :)

LOL about the pun, I had thought of it too.
But...try to reread the poem with in mind the idea that the jewels are in fact bruises given by a violent husband, and think of the last three lines. It became clear to me when I was given some explanation.

[Virgil]

LOL about the pun, I had thought of it too.
But...try to reread the poem with in mind the idea that the jewels are in fact bruises given by a violent husband, and think of the last three lines. It became clear to me when I was given some explanation.

Oh, I can now see whiffs of that. But does it hold throughout? Perhaps yes. Wow. Excellent!

Edit: It just occurred to me that the slang of family jewels fits nicely in that it's a testosorone driven violence.

[Sweets America]

Oh, I can now see whiffs of that. But does it hold throughout? Perhaps yes. Wow. Excellent!

Yes, this is why I found the poem excellent too! It is very subtle and well written.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Jesus!!! Jerry just explained to me the meaning of this poem and I see I had not understood at all, like a lot of people who responded! Now that I read it with this different view, it sounds terrible! That's a very sad and nice piece of work.

I needed some help to arrive at the appropriate interpretation. If TFE would deign to say a bit about her intention, I think that those (like me) who misread it as a 'pretty' poem, notwithstanding the incongruity of the last three lines, would read it as a much stronger, tougher and more sad poem.

[ampoule]

I needed some help to arrive at the appropriate interpretation. If TFE would deign to say a bit about her intention, I think that those (like me) who misread it as a 'pretty' poem, notwithstanding the incongruity of the last three lines, would read it as a much stronger, tougher and more sad poem.

I understood it the minute I read it which is pretty good for me, considering I haven't a clue about so many poems posted. And knowing what little I know about TFE, which is only through her poetry, it didn't seem like her to write a cute little poem about jewelry. I believe I was looking for the clincher. I think so much has to do with 'where we are' when reading a poem.

p.s. Fifth, that's meant as a compliment. :)

[PrinceMyshkin]

I understood it the minute I read it which is pretty good for me, considering I haven't a clue about so many poems posted. And knowing what little I know about TFE, which is only through her poetry, it didn't seem like her to write a cute little poem about jewelry. I believe I was looking for the clincher. I think so much has to do with 'where we are' when reading a poem.

p.s. Fifth, that's meant as a compliment. :)

I was very curious to see whether all the male readers would miss the point and all the female ones would get it. I'm kind of relieved to see that some of each did NOT get it as I dread being guilty of gender-blindness.

But reading it correctly, as you did, isn't it a devastating poem?

[ampoule]

But reading it correctly, as you did, isn't it a devastating poem?

Yes and no. I know that's going to make you fighting mad but that's how I feel. To me the devastating part or what CAN be the devastating part, is what we do after the poem is over.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Yes and no. I know that's going to make you fighting mad but that's how I feel. To me the devastating part or what CAN be the devastating part, is what we do after the poem is over.

Only thing that makes me fighting mad in this or pretty much anything else is when someone predicts that something is going to make me fighting mad!

Mind you, didn't your Lord say, "Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay"?

I understand your point that poetry CAN (but need it be) instructive, improving, but surely there's room to be devastated over what has already happened to others? Not that this poem record TFE's experience, from what we know of her marriage via some of the marvellous love poems to her husband in her blog.

[Sweets America]

To me the devastating part or what CAN be the devastating part, is what we do after the poem is over.

That makes me shiver, what you say. I thought, yes, after finishing reading the poem, most people will just read another one and put this one in the back of their minds. The poem, and its terrible truth.

[cleo]

I thought this was an excellent poem.
I had to read it carefully to get its meaning.

[ampoule]

Only thing that makes me fighting mad in this or pretty much anything else is when someone predicts that something is going to make me fighting mad! hehehe grrrrrr

Mind you, didn't your Lord say, "Let your yea be yea and your nay be nay"?there ya go getting all religious on me

I understand your point that poetry CAN (but need it be) instructive, improving, but surely there's room to be devastated over what has already happened to others? Not that this poem record TFE's experience, from what we know of her marriage via some of the marvellous love poems to her husband in her blog.well then, I probably don't understand it at all. ;) My understanding is just what I read in to it

ooops...my message is too short...I needed at least five words...there's fourteen. ;)

[TheFifthElement]

Wow!

Thanks all for the comments and the debate. Virgil - I was wondering where the 'pun' comment was leading - I'm glad you elaborated before I had to ask! I hadn't considered that interpretation of 'family jewels' but now you've mentioned it, it does seem appropriate ;)

I think it might be a good point to add that this is definitely not based on personal experience.

But yes, my intention when writing the poem was to portray domestic violence but as with all poetry the reading will be different for each person, so some will read it that way, and others won't. I didn't want to make the intention too obvious, it is, in a sense, as well hidden as domestic violence is in our neighbourhoods. Sadly the fact that women accept it (though they may feel they have no choice) is as much a part of the problem as the fact that men perpetrate it.

[Virgil]

Thanks all for the comments and the debate. Virgil - I was wondering where the 'pun' comment was leading - I'm glad you elaborated before I had to ask! I hadn't considered that interpretation of 'family jewels' but now you've mentioned it, it does seem appropriate ;)

:p Sorry I had to elaborate. :blush:


I think it might be a good point to add that this is definitely not based on personal experience.
Oh Thank God. I was wondering.


But yes, my intention when writing the poem was to portray domestic violence but as with all poetry the reading will be different for each person, so some will read it that way, and others won't. I didn't want to make the intention too obvious, it is, in a sense, as well hidden as domestic violence is in our neighbourhoods. Sadly the fact that women accept it (though they may feel they have no choice) is as much a part of the problem as the fact that men perpetrate it.
You really got into the mind there. It feels like personal experience. Great work, Fifth! :thumbs_up

[Sweets America]

Wow!

Thanks all for the comments and the debate. Virgil - I was wondering where the 'pun' comment was leading - I'm glad you elaborated before I had to ask! I hadn't considered that interpretation of 'family jewels' but now you've mentioned it, it does seem appropriate ;)

That is funny about the pun. I had sensed it too, but only because we have the same phrase in French. I had no idea it was translated literaly into English.

[Virgil]

That is funny about the pun. I had sensed it too, but only because we have the same phrase in French. I had no idea it was translated literaly into English.

For all we know it started in French. You know French men. :lol: :D :p

[Sweets America]

For all we know it started in French. You know French men. :lol: :D :p

Ehehehehe, I do. :p
I might not be a really good example to represent French women, though. :lol:

Edit: funny, in your comment, I had read 'you know French women'. Oh well, I might not be a good example either when it comes to knowing French men!