Emeralds and Sand


Emeralds and Sand

Upon the sand will I not build my house
for when rains descend and floods overflow,
the winds will howl and beat upon its walls
and it will crumble, great will be its fall

I need no chandeliers, nor porcelain
china, hand-painted with silver and gold,
no dinner dainties with a fattened ox,
content am I to dine on herbs with love.

I seek a shelter strong with warmth and light
where rains and winds and floods can’t topple down
and love burns bright in apple wood hearth fires
and nightingale songs fill the evening air —-

Upon solid rock will I build my house,
there will I find emeralds and rubies.

D. G. Vachal © 2024