Water and Gold

Water and Gold
by Michael R. Burch
 

You came to me as rain breaks on the desert
when every flower springs to life at once,
but joy's a wan illusion to the expert:
the Bedouin has learned how not to want.
 

You came to me as riches to a miser
when all is gold, or so his heart believes,
until he dies much thinner and much wiser,
his gleaming bones hauled off by chortling thieves.
 

You gave your heart too soon, too dear, too vastly;
I could not take it in; it was too much.
I pledged to meet your price, but promised rashly.
I died of thirst, of your bright Midas touch.
 

I dreamed you gave me water of your lips,
then sealed my tomb with golden hieroglyphs.
 

Originally published by The Lyric

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

Very nicely rhymed piece containing unique imagery. An intelligent love poem, or rather, a tale of love that did not work out. The speaker apparently was not ready for the gold, and his tale is one of missed opportunity. Well done.

[Michael R. Burch]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked my poem. Midas learned that turning things into gold had unexpected consequences!