THE HAPPIEST OF BOYS

A little boy gathers rocks
he makes a game of finding them
to him each is an amazing discovery
a special prize

he sorts them by color
and puts them in little groups
spread out on his wood table
then admires his accomplishment

as soon as one pile is situated
he runs to gather more
like hunting Easter eggs
the thrill is in the hunt

he has this game
all to himself
no one must interfere
it is as if he's driven to collect
an instinct for gathering

all men have gathered stones
thrilled to the touch
the color
the permanence

they have marked their trails
their fires
their Gods
with stones
this little boy follows
these same ancient paths

it does not take expensive toys
to satisfy a child
just give him rocks
a sunshiny day
and he will be
the happiest of boys.


© d.knape
May 23, 2017

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