My neighbor, who gave me the necklace, has written the essay by the same title. The essay tells the whole story in detail. Elisa, (like Drew’s Elisa, by different pronunciation )who gave me the neckalce has had it twice…so there are really six women, but it passed around 7 times. I say 7 women in the poem, but it’s really 6 with one having it twice. Not sure if this makes a difference in my count. I am # 7 or 8, depending….

Sisterhood of the Traveling Necklace

Epigram: F (··−·) - A (·−) - I (··) - T (−) - H (····).

I finger tiny beads of Morse code on a thin silver chain

this necklace of faith.

There have been others who have worn it,

each one came through their cancers. Still here.

This necklace of Faith,

passed along from E to V, another E, then D, B, L, E again, then to me.

Each one came through their cancers. Still here.

Smooth dots and dashes of silver to soothe the worry.

Passed along from E to V, another E, then D, B, L, E again, then to me.

It looks small around my neck but holds big hope,

smooth dots and dashes of silver to soothe the worry.

Seven women carry me forward.

It looks small around my neck, but holds big hope.

There have been others who have worn it.

Seven women carry me forward.

I finger these tiny beads, Morse code on a thin silver chain.