A short poem from my new book, The Lost Journal of my Second Trip to Purgatory, Thorny Crowns Of course the gold one was for special occasions, weddings, etc., silver for family reunions, office-casual type affairs. Bronze was an everyday choice; during yard work its burnished surface shone in sunlight. There were various colors and holiday appropriate ones. I could never find the hatboxes they were stored in. But the wooden one was reserved for the long-suffering caused by family. Stevie’s funeral, my hospital trips and sister’s rebellion rated real wood. One tip filed extra sharp produced a fine and dramatic line of blood droplets on her brow.