Ember

I was already cold
And spent
The winter I took up mining
Desperately seeking
Profound riches
Buried deep in my sorrow

Depth, the change
Chosen
Exchanged
For light forgotten
Warmth replaced
By the ache
Of veins that snaked
Down the arms of my striking past
Until hope, my axe
Was dropped, dull as ash
And less enduring

Grief, my grave
That shaft, the place
Where I expired
To kindle compassion
A lantern’s action
More luminous and inspired
Let me look to sky
To discover why
My diamonds
Had been there
All along