Gold Country Crossing

Crossed over the Yuba and couldn’t get back

Crossed the Yuba River and could not get back

Felt like a kitten in a burlap sack

Stumbled at the water’s edge and called out a name

Stumbled at the edge and called so many names

The devil Gold appeared, and I knew this was no game

She offered me the shiny flakes if I outstretched my hand

She offered me the yellow flakes, reached out and touched my hand

I wanted to be rescued but instead renewed my stand

Something didn’t feel right, the offering insincere

Something did not feel right, her eyes were insincere

The sounds of that river rang golden to my ear

I didn’t understand the journey so I sat myself down still

I did not understand what journey left me sitting quite so still

I began to watch the rapids cross the rocks where dogwood spilled

She knew I would not follow and moved on to other fools

She saw I did not follow as she moved toward other fools

My body faced the water, discovering better tools

To cross me back over the Yuba, return to home at last

To cross that mighty river and reclaim my home at last

Find riches in this listening heart, the fever having passed

Janice Dabney