......Of Gold? Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

I was not looking when you found me
you stopped just long enough to smile.
I felt your presence all around me
and hoped that you would stay awhile.
You hurried on - you had your reason
and faded slowly in the light,
'twas hot, the highest summer season:
And then you turned - I'd hoped you might.
You flashed a brief but lovely look,
it made me feel quite weird.
Then silly me 'What if she took
offense at my gray beard? '

Then you were gone, the sun left with you,
the night air came with sudden force.
And to this day I often miss you
when you are not at home, of course.

What is she like, I wondered then,
what does she value and adore?
Would she expect to see in men
some muscles, brains and looks and more?

And when I left, went down the road
I had her on my mind.
I thought I recognised the coat
or was I going blind?
And near an oak tree she was resting,
I knew not what to think
and thought that someone must be testing
to drive me to the brink.

The rest you know, my lovely sweet:
It's just as you had told.
You wanted one that didn't just beat,
you needed one of gold.

And may I burn in hot damnation
for being so conceited.
But here I am - on this occasion
I must not be defeated!
'I have one, although it is old',
I shouted loud into your ear,
'It beats okay - it's made of gold! '
And YOU CAME CLOSE TO HEAR!

The little secret -now revealed
is that I slaved and polished
this drum that was just MOSTLY gold.
The flaws are now abolished.

And that was only the beginning.