Heirloom

It is an exquisitely small
object, a silver, five-pointed
star set with brilliant marcasites
hanging on a fine silver chain.
She had coveted the ornament
as a child, persuading her
grandmother, who had it as
a gift from the girl's grandfather
when they were younger than
the granddaughter is now, to 
bequest it to her eager ownership.
It sits, forlorn, the silver star,
a treasured object in a
small jewel box, but not forgotten.
The girl cherishes her "shining
silver star", pensively regarding
it, wishing the world were a
vastly different place, where
someone like her could wear a
valued memento without fear
of spurning betrayal.