Considering Lilies

All from gold came the light,

hiding where it thought it would never be found.

Pressed between rocks.

Wedged tight.

Until the water came and washed it away,

mostly in flecks, one by precious one.

Gathered by weight that carried it into the deep

it lie there, until a poor panner came

plunging her hands into the hopeful rush.

Against the current she pulled and plunged and plunged and pulled,

washing away the the fools flecks meant to trick her.

Passing off the grit and the silt, black as pitch...the stuff that wanted to stay in the pan so badly.

Just before everything had been heaved overside, her pan, now looking so bare, wore

a gilded smile that glistened at her with tender eyes.

She smiled back at it with her whole heart and let it see her.

She dipped her fingers over it for a moments touch.

Strong and pure.

She placed the gold on her lips and cried as she beheld what she had found.

It bled into her mouth and down her throat

until it was inside her.

She laughed at her foolishness and left the river that day.

Having willowed for weeks for what she'd done, her eyes never came dry.

If only she knew!

The change came softly and drew whispers.

Her skin was bathed in light!

She was adorned!

When the sun shone upon her it made a delphic glow.

and in the night, she rose like the moon because she wore her treasure inside.