Precious Stone
As I walked on the road
Ragged, rocky and raw,
The Sun had beat down, midday
high and bright
I was travelling down, on the straight
route, alone except for the whistling
wind, which sometimes pushed against my sides
so hard, I fought to stay on track.
I peered down at my feet and behind me
at my footprints in the sandy areas, and the
stones my feet left turned and disturbed.
I bent and picked one up, its surface ragged
and unyeilding, I threw it back down, I picked
up another and another, the rough edges
bruising my sun-heated skin.
I picked up and threw, selected and
dashed them as I walked on my journey.
I came to a junction and without any signs
or directions, I crossed over. The wind continued
to blow me backwards but I fought on.
As I took a stride over the junction,
I picked up a rock...I was about to throw it back
alike with the others that had tough edges that hurt me.
I held it and saw
it was different to the ones from before, I looked very closely at
it and saw its surface was so smooth, I could
witness my own reflection, I saw my own scrutinising eye
I was shocked and bewildered at why this beautiful stone
was in the wilderness amongst the other rocks
Its colour was undeniably unique; a blend of rich colours
and pastel shades merged, how so, I do not know
I beheld its beauty and it appeared to behold mine also
I held it tightly and cherished its precious radiance
A stone, a gem, so refreshingly different
I held it tight like a life-line
But I turned around and peered,
And saw the road had changed
I knew the precious stone was not supposed to be taken
I knew that like a fresh fish, it would have to be thrown back
to its own waters
I looked at the stone one last time, my tears were reflecting
back at me, my smile disappeared
I stroked the stone, it was more precious to me than a diamond
It's radiance had been so pure, so new
I bent down and carefully placed the stone down on the
side of the track
I stood for a while.
I knew the stone should be mine but the stone did not belong to me.
There was no other way to express my sorrow but to cry.
I walked on and wiped my sodden cheeks.
I let my precious stone go.
And I couldn't look back.
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