The Stone Unturned
There are three little words on tiny stones strewn along the floor
of a never-ending stream which runs through a misty moor.
A marvelous moor of uncertainty where mysteriously all are led
to cross a flowing water all humanity must tread.
Those three little words like pebbles thrown by children just for sport
randomly and carelessly bear no great import.
Flung into streams, they become the water’s bed.
They represent what everyone to someone else has surely said.
As you cross the water, you’ll feel those rocks underfoot.
Inconsequential to your journey, they’ll stay where they were put.
But some are blessed who as they wade across that little river
Catch a gleam from beneath the stream such that sends a shiver.
Something glistening through the ripples impelling them to freeze,
to search among the other stones, to get down on their knees.
And as they stoop with hands outstretched, they strain to catch the ray
which from the depths of murkiness shines to show the way.
Their fingers reach through icy cold, the other stones ignored
until they grasp that precious one to be their best reward!
They bring it from the water; its light fills up the sky.
Its color irridescent; they laugh until they cry.
They look for the “I love you” which on ordinary stones is inscribed.
but instead of the three little words is a feeling that can’t be described.
They find themselves transported onto another plane,
alone with their own beloved away from all the mundane.
Perhaps to fields of gold. Some to glens of green.
But each who is transported finds happiness serene.
Love that lasts a lifetime: unselfish, truthful and kind,
which strives to rekindle passion and fun while expanding the mind.
This is the love most sacred while in the stream we walk
treading upon the pebbles that only know how to talk.
We must walk on continuously with that one stone to seek
because it gives the soul much more than just three words can speak.
Jan. 17, 2017 For Jamie Pan's contest: How Long can a poetry go
Writer's Statement: This is an extended metaphor poem which should be very obvious to the reader. We hear the words “I love you” said by many people throughout our lives and we hear it being tossed about like pebbles also in movies and tv shows. I think all of us are searching for the “real thing.” Therefore, we should try to ignore people whose “I love you” is often falsely said. They are the common stones. In verse four, I describe what it feels like to come across true love, or at least the illusion of it. We stop and notice its brightness because it outshines the others. In verse three, I mentioned “SOME are blessed” to find this stone. Many may think they have found it, but I believe very few actually find it. In verses five to seven I use adjectives and phrases to describe its great beauty because true love is the most valuable thing I think we can find in life. I conclude in verse eight with a summary, explaining that it is important to find the stone most valuable because it gives so much to the soul. We should ignore false love and tread on it like we would on common pebbles which only speak of love but which do not prolong passion and fun in one’s life or expand the mind. The title is "The Stone Unturned" because with 50% divorce rate and many other couples in unhappy living arrangements, I believe most do not find everlasting happy love. They have left that stone unturned.
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