Mercedes Graf

The Pocket Watch

As soon as I saw the pocket watch in the window,
I knew I had to make it yours.
I could imagine you holding it in your hand
Until the cool metal warmed to your touch.
I could hear your chuckle when you heard it chime
On the half-hour.
And I could guess your delight
When you slipped it in your shirt pocket near your heart. For a moment I envied something that could be carried
With you wherever you went.
And I felt sure that it would be yours to possess
As long as you treasured it.
Yet I smiled even as I counted out the money
To buy it.
Because...