Hanque O . . .

A jade necklace,
three Chinese characters
one below the other

dangling from a cord.
—Fifteen dollars please.
—What do the words mean?

—Hope, honor, love.
—Well, I hope she likes it,
and if I had an ounce of honor

I'd not do this,
but what can I do? I love her.
—May I gift wrap that for you?

—Please, and wrap my conscience
while you're at it. I may need it later.