Gifted Poem by Nellie Isabelle Steward Cooper

This pledge is not made
Of gold or base metal
So that if twisted broken or lost
Years-hence on some lonely
Hillside someone might pick it up

And in curious fingers
Turning it - say
'What was this? '

This pledge is made
Of a hearts dream given
On the raw edge
Of time with
Drums beating
You cannot take it
As more solemn
Than I am
Great nor forever

But only as you
May know
My heart to be
Whimsical

Inconsistent and fey
A heart
Such as does not fashion rings
Nor throw away
And needs no symbol
To bind it to the slow
Turning earth
And its own