The Miner Poem by Mary Fumento

I witnessed a passing glimmer
And jumped joyously at first glance
Clutching dreams and muddy tools
In hopes of promised riches at last

I waved eagerly at the hovering old man
Whispering confidently 'It won't be long'
But the water ran frigid over my hands
The current unyielding, murky and strong

Day after day, I returned more determined
That the longer the dig, the more certain the take
In spite of the relentless, empty river
And its ungiving, worthless wake

After months of dismal searching
I finally surrendered in dismay
Approaching the waiting figure
Lamenting, 'No treasure, again today'

But he just kept grinning and panning
Pondering where else should he be
To bask in the glory of expectation
And the wonders of all he could see

I wondered aloud at his tenacity
Why forever at the banks does he stay?
In an existence of toil for nothing
Why would anyone want it that way?

But he stressed he remained content
To be by a river providing none
Save a fish over fire for supper
And the company of me or anyone

And he bent over to try to convince me
As he scooped, letting earth from his hand
'Consider the wealth disguised in here
A beauty held captive in simple sand

For its lure alone gives us reason
To come dare to try every day
And bounty or no today does not matter
Your dreams may but be one mere failure away.'

(1995)