inspired by the image by photographer, Jackie Heitchue    jackieheitchue.com

What Will Be Forgotten

 

Such fuss over gold and diamonds

babies in the grand scheme of things

what is a measly billion or two years

growing in the ground

compared to quadruple that

spent

hurtling through

the cold silent universe

passing suns

and solar systems

crashing into other solid objects

and changing trajectory

over the eons

until the smallest

portion-

the most lasting bits-

enter Earth’s atmosphere

and arrive with a fiery show

to be gathered by a wizard

to forge Excaliber

or a ring of simple striated metal

worn by the soul

who truly knows its value-

far beyond that of pedestrian diamonds and gold

that litter shopping mall jewelry cases

This- like a lifetime of gathered wisdom

is the true treasure

we leave behind

as we blaze our way through life

ending, scattered, in the Earth after our fiery show

and guarded by the lucky few

who know our story

they make sure that we are not

what will be forgotten