Tiny Sepulchers

Behind the safe’s elaborate door

Rows and rows of small, locked metal boxes

A sprawling cemetery of secrets and wealth entombed

A seldom visited resting-place

Family remains to await resurrection

By the visit of usually but one with permission

To reveal the magical moment

A safety-deposit box key so simple

Unlocking the often complex burial

Often covered by layers of legal white sheets

A papered shroud needing removal

To reveal the preserved riches

By an unlocking tool-identity without name

A number of designation

Embossed atop the opener

Will there be…

Mementos of memory?

Carefree nothings for smiles?

Perhaps a lock of hair for weeping?

A keepsake of no value

All for the trusted party to carry on?

Oh…

How blinding the sparkles of forsaken wealth

The faceted clearness of prosperous purity

Made untouchable by memories of dishonestly

The patriarch remaining who and what he was

The fear of touching contents

Admonishing damp fingers to tremble

Of note…

The gold and silver face

Of the deceased pocket watch stares up

Time recorded

As he fell

23 past 2

Irony

Immortalized

As contempt’s lasting reminder