I wrote the following poem while out of town working at one of the state parks on the Texas gulf coast; a park that is no longer there; completely destroyed in 2008 by Hurricane Ike. Ike’s destruction damaged me a bit; left me feeling hollow; survivor’s guilt, they call it. Many lost everything–I lost nothing, but still… I hurt.
Treasure
Up early
Nothing new, but different
The sun still somewhere else
I think it might be a perfect day
To watch it arrive
As I slip between the cabins
Through the early morning haze
A gray shape darts from nowhere
Zigging and zagging
Dodging stones not thrown
A seagull cries in the distance
At the beach I look across grey water
A hint of pink lines distant clouds
Sand, raked by man and machine
Turns golden in the first light
Gulls hunt then battle for scraps upturned
A toddler squats, entranced
By a broken shell
Time-worn trash to most
A treasure—a wonder—to her
Her wonder—a treasure—to me
Copyright © 2002 C. Mashburn
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Sherry Mashburn said
What a lovely picture you have painted!
charlesmashburn said
Thank ya, Hunny!
Anna Montgomery said
Precisely, we were all once that little girl. I am very sorry for your loss -that level of destruction is so difficult to wrap our minds and hearts around.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Anna!
Mary said
I wrote a long comment. It disappeared. I am sorry, but I don’t have the energy to recreate it. I enjoyed your poem…..sigh…
charlesmashburn said
That happens to me too, Mary. It is very disconcerting! Thank you for trying! I always appreciate your comments!
claudia said
A treasure—a wonder—to her
Her wonder—a treasure—to me…i like…precious moments…love the images…vividly painted…could see…
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Claudia!
lenwilliamscarver said
No matter whether you have lost something material in destruction like that or not it does something to our hearts and souls to see the suffering of our fellow humankind. to see the precious little one and to share her
wonder at found treasure is a treasure in itself. Beautiful write Mr. Charles!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Len!
brian miller said
ah, that wonder is such a treasure indeed….we lose it a bit i think, but i really like that your eyes capture them and send them to your pen so we can experience it again through her through you…smiles….nicely done sir…
charlesmashburn said
Actually, I think that wonder begins to come back as we age. I think it can go full circle if we let it. I sometimes find myself studying some simple thing as if I’ve never noticed it before. We have to want to see things, I think.
hollyannegetspoetic said
It’s that complete stillness… the moment of taking stock… That’s what strikes me here.
charlesmashburn said
Yes! That’s how it happened, Holly.
nephiriel said
wonderful poem, especially love the last stanza. thank you for the images
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
hedgewitch said
You build the scene well, Charles–I can almost smell the ocean. Love the last lines.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
kaykuala said
A treasure—a wonder—to her
Her wonder—a treasure—to me
A classic write affirming how fondness can readily ‘transfer’ its feelings when closeness abounds between two hearts. Nicely Charles!
Hank
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Hank!
leahJlynn said
It’s seems Like you and i have the same lovely idea. I enjoyed reading this sure.
charlesmashburn said
Yes, we did! I loved what you wrote, Leah! It was like we were looking at the same sunrise from different places.
Thank you for stopping by!
danadampier said
A child’s wonder is always a precious thing!
charlesmashburn said
Indeed it is!
Thank you for visiting, Dana!
seingraham said
A beautiful write Charles … I feel for your survivor’s guilt; I don’t think we understand nearly enough about it or the “aloneness” that comes with … am happy for the child’s “wonder – a treasure-to me” as it should be …
http://leapinelephants.blogspot.ca/2012/09/alone.html
charlesmashburn said
So true. Thank you!
Mohana said
wonderfully done, and the closing lines are so heart warming.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Mohana!
Ginny Brannan said
A few years ago we spent the week at a townhouse right on the beach in Maryland. One morning I woke while still dark and went out and sat on the sea wall watching the dawn break, and the sky turn from almost black to gray, to purple to pink. Your poem took me back to this place. Lovely.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Ginny!
kkkkaty said
I like the way you led us to the sweet ending….and you are right, we hope each day begins and ends happily….
charlesmashburn said
Yes, and I believe they can!