Silver Coin

I only knew its worth when it was lost—
not just what it could buy
to satisfy hunger and hearts,
but what it cost me to get it:
cloth woven from scavenged scraps of time,
embroidered with leftover ambition,
sold to wealthy haggler
who had no taste or appreciation.

I searched, scrutinized, and swept
every corner, every cupboard,
but the cursed coin remained
indifferent—no, resistant—
to discovery,

till hallelujah!
beneath my candle
I caught it glinting,
snug behind table leg.

Come, rejoice with me!—
for souls and bodies fed,
for new threads on the loom,
for all misplaced treasures
waiting to be found.

• To read more of my poetry, visit www.facebook.com/latterdaysaintpoetry.

• For questions, comments, or concerns, contact me at merrijane.rice@gmail.com.