Gold is hard and cold
and diamonds glitter
with indifferent light.

Silver shines with glacial
overtones, gems are
beautiful but unimpressed
by tears at night.

Give me a living rose
intimate with dew,
and gardens rich with life,
sparkling waterfalls
and sleek birds soaring
over trees — a loving hand to hold
by a living stream,
with Paradise restored
in Eden moonlight.

Since January 20, 2005

©2002 Shirley Anne Leonard
Microsoft® Clipart