there was that creek
next to the house on Montell
where we heard the teens laughing
after school
and smelled the smoke of pot
filtering into our back window

there was that backyard
where we buried Boogie, the cat
who died of snail bait poisoning
jerking and vomiting before setting in to
rigor mortis

there was that window
broken into
where unknown burglars
entered and chose to steal
my grandmother’s jewelry

there was that porch
where we got married in June
and a small crew of friends looked on
as the minister said
“may the force be with you”

that was then…

this week, I walked Montell
and tossed my citrine and gold
wedding ring
into the creek

if a teen retrieves it
I hope she will wear it
longer than I