A silver ribbon tumbles through 

Lofty peaks, 'neath dome of blue.

 

In glittering seams along that streak

Prospectors precious metals seek.

 

The bush above deep pools, glass green,

In mirrored calm, all twice is seen.

 

But lazy waters must move on

With quickening pace down boistrous run

 

To ceaseless torrents grinding rocks

To rounded stones from jagged blocks.

 

Then peace again, in corner deep,

'Neath fern and moss where waters seep.

 

High of flow great trunks jammed fast,

Witness to the deluge past. 

 

Twinkling lights, like diamonds, play, 

Writhing shadows twist and sway.

 

Flickering form, through crystal flow, 

A rippling shape that comes and goes.

 

A line unrolls, a feather falls,

A hope ignites, a tempter calls.

 

All the world, a speck, adrift,

As blur below begins to lift 

 

Slow kiss, the speck sucked out of sight,

Connect by striking arc bent tight!

 

Sting, taught springs line, showering spray,

With surge of power it reels away. 

 

A flash explodes in bloom of light,

Glittering plume, sparkling flight.

 

Anxious touch, the balance swings,

Tired tugs the one, the other brings.

 

Till held at last, the gilded prize,

Displayed before admiring eyes. 

 

Sequinned, slippery, hefty treasure

In captor's hand, to weigh and measure. 

 

Haloed spots, on silver spread,

Scattered rubies burning red.

 

The pallette is the river bed,

Glimmering golds, emerald head.

 

A time to keep? To free? To choose,

If robbed, pool’s gold doth lustre lose.

 

So not this time, dulled, tarnished, gone,

Back slips this jewel to glimmer on.

 

Swallowed up by pool, now hid,

Its star will gleam again and bid 

 

Other seekers venture to

Ribbons silver tumbling through

 

Mountains regal, robed in green,

To veins of silver, seldom seen.

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