When I was young,
I couldn’t imagine being brave enough
to climb a beanstalk into the sky.
But, in life, that is exactly what I did,
stepping off into the abyss,
a bemused Ms Magoo,
somehow managing to land
more or less upright.
There were times I felt
the giant’s hot breath on my neck,
but I was nimble,
I was quick,
and hopped fast away.
The goose that lay the golden egg
eluded me.
My treasure was found
in the forest,
by the sea,
in golden friendships,
in music and the love of words,
in dogs, and all wild creatures.
My journey taught me things
I have been happy to pass along,
- not that anyone wants to listen -
they are all too busy leaping off
their own precipices.
I now sit in my counting-house,
counting golden memories.
My treasure still lies
in the heart-lift to be found
in that vault of blue fairy-tale sky,
the sheen of that
shimmering rainbow,
in windsong and the sight of
birds on the wing,
in windsong and the sight of
birds on the wing,
and the memories of so much love,
the memories of so much love……….
Inspired by Elizabeth Crawford and shared with the Poetry Pantry at Poets United.
So beautify, Sherry, only wish, my faerie tales, could come true, for me.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have discovered what is truly important and life-affirming in your personal quest, Sherry. You're an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThe golden egg usually tends to bring more trouble than it is worth....but the one who is REALLY the richest is rich with memories.
ReplyDeleteSo nice and beautifully honest, thanks, Sherry. K.
ReplyDeletesome of my greatest fortunes are within eyesight, an arms length away, a heart beat away. my treasure is much when i have family, friends, love. gracias mi amiga
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that a person that hasn't made a mistake hasn't made anything of their life. We don't understand how rich life can be unless we have experiences poor times too. This is a really beautiful poem Sherry.
ReplyDeleteAh, how much we take for granted! Thank you for reminder! Great writing!
ReplyDeleteMy treasure still lies
ReplyDeletein the heart-lift to be found
in that vault of blue fairy-tale sky,
the sheen of that
shimmering rainbow,
in windsong and the sight of
birds on the wing,
and the memories of so much love
-----------------------------------
My heart soared above the clouds with these lines. Thank you for this moment of joy.
A life well lived so far. That's how I read this poem. It's beautiful and it also contains a richness that add different layers to it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
true treasure is to be found by the golden heart alone...law of the universe...
ReplyDeleteA heart that is a treasure, will find treasures wherever it goes... And the memories of the findings, are precious, precious, precious...
ReplyDeletemanaging to land more or less upright... so glad you did and so glad you share your love for the earth so wonderfully with us all..
ReplyDeleteSadly as we grow up we find there are lots of rules. Somehow we should have been brave enough to make some of our own. I am sure everyone would want to go back and change a few things from their past and say "Je regrette rien".
ReplyDeleteLovely story. Pity about the goose, though.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite image is of you sat in your counting house treasuring every golden memory - maybe that is true wealth..and i think a lot of people listen (perhaps even whilst leaping off a precipice)
ReplyDeleteSigh, such a beautifully wise and profound poem Sherry :D
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
Sounds as if you don't need the golden goose....you have the real golden treasure in your life Also lucky you landed upright...some spend a lifetime walking around on their heads and remarkably still surviving although with somewhat altered vision:)Enjoyed this poem immensely....more please!
ReplyDeleteYour words do indeed suggest a life well lived. More happy endings I think than not. Off to bed now as words are slow to come! Zzzzzz
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
hey are all too busy leaping off
ReplyDeletetheir own precipices.
That is the correct picture Sherry! One has to be real careful. But we tended to fall off at our own pace and our own rate and some landed real hard!
Hank
I do think that the golden egg for us all is that of friendship (or should be) and just maybe those who get the real harvest of gold loose a lot.
ReplyDeleteSuch radiant memories! Beautifully written. :-)
ReplyDelete-HA
Oh, thought I had commented on this already, hours ago. Maybe the comment disappeared in the midst of current internet probs due to wild weather. Anyway - love it all, particularly the beautiful final verse.
ReplyDeleteA treasure in this poem for sure. Another wonderfully crafted piece, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully inspired Sherry....and rich with so much insight....I think you have found the golden egg!
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully done Sherry! This is what we carry with us--our memories--our stories--and they are everything that we give to others--the font of our love for others
ReplyDeleteThis might just be my favorite poem I have ever read of yours, Sherry. I love that central image of the leap, the jump, and all the beautiful and painful things that happen along the way. A great metaphor for the journey of life.
ReplyDeleteThe last two stanzas are my favorites.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteZQ
If you have many memories of love, you are indeed blessed. Glad you jumped off and lived. I like this one so much. It doesn't address regrets, but simply the truth of taking leaps.
ReplyDelete(I didn't know Elizabeth had prompted something about fairy tales. It's funny that I wrote about one without being aware of her prompt.
A beautiful life's story rendered with wisdom, warmth and wisps of whimsy. Lovely, Sherry.
ReplyDeleteYes, Sherry, you have a great many treasures, and I love the image of you sitting in your counting house, fully appreciating all of them,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth