Silver Secrets

The classical pantoum is very hard to write and frankly not all that much fun to read-- even when well executed. But it has a nice rhythm, and I think loosening the form rules may produce some worthwhile poems. Expect further experimentation with this idea.

Where no one has looked, there’s silver
hidden in the deep veins of the earth
before careless feet have swept it
out to greet the uncaring gaze of the crowd.
Hidden in the deep veins of the earth
is brightness that tarnishes when it’s dragged
out to greet the uncaring gaze of the crowd.
The brightness of a secret unlooked-upon
is brightness that tarnishes when it’s dragged
over gravel and too-solid concrete.
The brightness of a secret unlooked-upon,
fragile as mist in the morning breeze
over gravel and too-solid concrete
like dew on the grass in the early dawn.
Fragile as mist in the morning breeze,
lying in shaded hollows, still undried
like dew on the grass in the early dawn—
before careless feet have swept it
lying in shaded hollows, still undried
where no one has looked, there’s silver.