This Diamond Ring
I stole a ring when I was young.
I was a wild amoral boy,
Lonesome, sullen, highly strung,
Surprisingly bereft of joy.
My father’s dour but wealthy friend
Invited us to his ocean home
A rocky place at land’s end
Where waves blow up in angry foam.
The man’s ex-wife’s engagement ring
Shone on the corner of his desk.
I’d pass it when I snuck outside
To smoke one of his cigarettes.
He caught me once and almost hissed,
“You little shit,” and raised his hand.
I jumped away and so he missed,
And soon he missed his wedding band.
Back in town the bad boys said
They’d find a place to pawn the prize
“I know a fence,” said little Ed,
A bitter boy just half my size.
About two weeks passed quickly by
Before I saw small Ed again
In league with all his company.
They laughed so long it felt like rain.
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