Treasure
I searched for a treasure most all of my days.
not the kind you work hard for, because that never pays.
No time for the slow path most people must take,
not bent for the hard way to earn the big break.
No time spent on others, you have to move fast,
to grab for the treasure or you might come in last.
I took many shortcuts to shave off some time,
so the good life, the riches that were rightfully mine;
would rain down on my shoulders and rise up from below.
My cup would run over, all my troubles would go.
But I soon learned the hard way what others had found,
my most valuable treasure was already around.
Eyes happy to see me when I dropped by for a while,
ears open for listening, a welcoming smile.
Arms there to catch me when I started to fall,
a shoulder to cry on through the worst of it all.
Hands reaching to help me when I felt near the end,
unconditional love and the trust of a friend.
I was blind to the treasure that had always been there,
my beautiful Mother in her worn kitchen chair.
Now she’s gone from this world and I’ll see her no more,
and no matter my riches, without her I’m poor.