I can not deny

anymore all I want to be able to do

is pry open hearts and minds

my own first

with the words that land on the eye like the glint of gold in a crisp flowing stream

feet getting wet from the crystal mountain runoff

as tipping down fingers glide into the delicate waters

to not remove the golden shine but

to touch it

and to feel it long after memoried on fingertips.

If not this

then to paint it in color.

That too would do fine.