fool’s gold
when i was a child i found a rock
that shone with flecks of gold
excited (and thinking it was real)
i ran to show it to my father
who gently explained (in the way
that fathers do) that it was not.
he told me the name of my pretty,
sparkly nugget and i was sorry.
worthless, he said, trying to explain
the difference between pyrite
and the gold that circled his finger,
and together we imagined the
disappointment of miners who surely
must have thought they struck it rich.
yesterday, i walked through a garden
that was not mine and stopped in the sun
to chat with a friend and (listening) i looked
down to discover chunks of my childhood
sparkling up at me and i smiled as i stooped
to pick up three pieces to give to her girls.
i told her the name and the story, and then
placed one last piece in my own pocket,
because these days, i am happy to believe
that there is far more value in this stone
that glitters just enough to remind me
of a long ago moment with my father
than there is in any amount
of the real thing.
.
.
.
March 13th, 2012 at 7:40 am
Exquisite; that is all I can say about the levels on this gem.
March 13th, 2012 at 8:00 am
the value of anything always boils down to the memory.
March 13th, 2012 at 9:02 am
no fooling around with this comment of thanks for a lovely verse that glitters with just enough shine to reflect our memories along with yours.
March 13th, 2012 at 10:06 am
love this…that glitters just enough to remind me
of a long ago moment with my father….I have moments like that…when I do I feel gratitude remembering and longing still…
March 13th, 2012 at 10:32 am
not sold on the world market because it is priceless.
March 13th, 2012 at 11:34 am
ah, sugar, but this IS the real thing, and there’s nobody – nobody at all – who can write a check big enough to cover this nugget.
March 13th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
memories will always have far more value….and will always be treasured as the best gifts EVER !!
xoxo
March 13th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
dang, you are making me tear up…and it is far from worthless…lovely verse today…
March 13th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
This was perfect and absolutely sweet, in the best way. 🙂 thanks mosk
March 13th, 2012 at 1:02 pm
a long ago moment with my father”.
my father has been so close in memory for me in the past two years. he died 35 years ago and…yet. my memories hold him so close. i often wonder if I will ever mean as much to somebody as he did to me? will I be remembered long after i am gone?
lovely words again today Mrs. M.
in fondest of thought, Tilda
March 13th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Memories are precious whether the stones are or not.
March 13th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Very lovely. So simply told. K.
March 13th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
This is wonderful. Those clear moments we treasure… well said.
March 13th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
love the nostalgia in this. and how true, memories are priceless. adore this beautiful piece. xox
March 13th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
A simple yet elegant narrative poem– moving for sure… xxj http://parolavivace.blogspot.com .
March 13th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
You gently capture a moment that plays out in so many ways across vastly different childhoods, whether through pyrite or another treasure discovered to be ‘without value’. Turning the sentiment at the end so effectively is wonderful.
March 13th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
I love how you tell a story, beautifully written and powerful. Your imagery is just brilliant.
March 13th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
Gorgeous writing!! Loved this–and it made me think about wonderful moments with my father–
March 13th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
This poem really touched me… reminds me of little things that may pop up in a daily walk that brings back a certain memory all of a sudden… oh, that moment means so much…
March 13th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
those moments are the real thing…such a tender story..loved every line of it… we call it cat gold over here…we used to dive for it in the river..
March 13th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
The gold and its worth are safely in your memory and now shared, too.
Lovely prose 🙂
March 13th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Happy father/daughter chills. Miss mine.
March 13th, 2012 at 4:43 pm
This is my favorite part:
“he told me the name of my pretty,
sparkly nugget and i was sorry.
worthless, he said, trying to explain
the difference”
March 13th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
True gold is in the memories 🙂
March 13th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
Somethings aren’t so worthless after all, nice how it brought back such a memory.
March 13th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
I miss my father, too. Lovely memory here.
March 13th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Wow- the last lines just wrapped this up so tightly. What an awesome story- so real, so honest and personal- yet a fantastic metaphor to be had in the fools gold (iron pyritise?) I remember my dad giving me some of this too. Some things may be labelled as valueless – but it’s the value we place on it that really counts. Touching stuff and neatly crafted
March 13th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Oh, so very touching…
March 13th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Love the cyclical nature to this piece and the way you really evoke a sense of family importance and endearment towards your father. Very nicely done. Thanks
March 13th, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Beautiful story and poem, Kelly. The full circle closed and perhaps even started with the youngsters who heard your tale.
Loved this charming piece. ~ J
March 13th, 2012 at 9:32 pm
How very touching! And written so true to heart. Very, very nice.
March 14th, 2012 at 6:08 am
When two real moments come together like this there is poetry in the air. Thank you.
March 14th, 2012 at 10:06 am
very nice kelly jo
March 15th, 2012 at 12:08 am
This was so beautiful Kelly. I too have memories of finding that “gold”. Love the “chunks of my childhood” line.