I peer beneath the water's sparkling surface
staring through ripples in fountains
widening circles trembling outward
framing
the pulsating image returning my eager gaze
I am searching for pennies
the tangible symbols of wishes both lofty and small
and I focus beyond my own reflection
my mind intent
seeking
grasping
anonymous strangers' long-abandoned dreams
I retreat within the fragile recesses of guarded memory
to stumble again down shadowy mental pathways
overgrown with steadily encroaching days
endlessly sprouting hours spent
awkwardly painfully making my way
toward the filtered rays of brightness
beckoning just beyond reach
And barefoot I wade through swirling pools of stored-up tears
pools without even the copper-clad wishes of strangers
to distract me momentarily from my own soul's poverty and pain
Spurred on by an inner longing too intense to be ignored
Guided by instinct far too powerful to be suppressed
my heart reaches for meaning amid the turmoil
I recall the echoes of phrases whispered on the wind
gently
softly
urging my barren soul toward hope and life
and I understand suddenly as if I had known forever
that the priceless jewel I seek will never be found
undisturbed and green with tarnish
at the bottom of shallow pools
Viewing the ageless search for wholeness
with newly opened eyes I see
that life's illusive wealth lies buried
in vastly deeper waters than I have ever cared
or dared
in all my spirit's wanderings to look
I ponder the infinite promise
unfathomable to the probing mind
yet strangely alluring to the thirsting soul
the promise embodied in the One who is Love Incarnate
the One whose timeless sacrifice beckons
to all who would share the hope of Life abundant
Life resplendent
Life eternal and unending
springing up within
all who would embrace the Gift of cleansing full and free
all who would in faith surrender staunchly guarded souls
and plunge headlong into the deep uncharted waters
where life's true riches wait
I gaze once more into the gently rippling fountain
that has brought me comfort in my emptiest hours
and the peacefully radiant face in the pool returns my smile
It's clear she shares the joy I feel at knowing
I need never search for pennies anymore.
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