A Necklace for Zawadi

The most precious of gifts

I have to give is a necklace—

a necklace made of gems,

gems made of memories,

memories made of time

spent together in each other's gaze.

With each new day

we shape a new bead,

polish it brightly,

and fasten it to the thread.

Long and lavish,

it grows.

When you are without me,

adorn yourself

in the splendor of these jewels.

Look deeply into each gem,

and you will find me there—

adoring you,

our love in full bloom.

The most precious of gifts

I have to give is a necklace—

a necklace made of gems,

gems made of memories,

memories made of time

spent together in each other's gaze.

In every bead

exists a record of our lives.

If a gem fades in color,

so too a memory.

If a gem is lost,

so is a day once lived.

And if the necklace slips

from the neck

so too

fall years

into nothingness.