Precious Stone

As I walked on the road Ragged, rocky and raw, The Sun had beat down, midday high and bright I was travelling down, on the straight route, alone except for the whistling wind, which sometimes pushed against my sides so hard, I fought to stay on track. I peered down at my feet and behind me at my footprints in the sandy areas, and the stones my feet left turned and disturbed. I bent and picked one up, its surface ragged and unyeilding, I threw it back down, I picked up another and another, the rough edges bruising my sun-heated skin. I picked up and threw, selected and dashed them as I walked on my journey. I came to a junction and without any signs or directions, I crossed over. The wind continued to blow me backwards but I fought on. As I took a stride over the junction, I picked up a rock...I was about to throw it back alike with the others that had tough edges that hurt me. I held it and saw it was different to the ones from before, I looked very closely at it and saw its surface was so smooth, I could witness my own reflection, I saw my own scrutinising eye I was shocked and bewildered at why this beautiful stone was in the wilderness amongst the other rocks Its colour was undeniably unique; a blend of rich colours and pastel shades merged, how so, I do not know I beheld its beauty and it appeared to behold mine also I held it tightly and cherished its precious radiance A stone, a gem, so refreshingly different I held it tight like a life-line But I turned around and peered, And saw the road had changed I knew the precious stone was not supposed to be taken I knew that like a fresh fish, it would have to be thrown back to its own waters I looked at the stone one last time, my tears were reflecting back at me, my smile disappeared I stroked the stone, it was more precious to me than a diamond It's radiance had been so pure, so new I bent down and carefully placed the stone down on the side of the track I stood for a while. I knew the stone should be mine but the stone did not belong to me. There was no other way to express my sorrow but to cry. I walked on and wiped my sodden cheeks. I let my precious stone go. And I couldn't look back.