The Necklace

Variegated flowers, nuts, cockleshells
And pebbles, chosen lovingly and strung
On golden spider’s webs with a gold clasp
For your neck, naturally; and each bead touched
By a boy’s lips as he stoops over them:
Wear these for the new miracle they announce —
All four cross-quarter days beseech you —
Your safe return from shipwreck, drought and war,
Beautiful as before, to what you are.