Walking through shadows that cast
frightful images of the past.
Stories hidden in this cave.
Memories and experiences lie in the grave;
more appropriately, this tomb
of souls lost and gone.
I walk through the sand.
I wave my hand
in an attempt to clear the webs
in my path.
I seek gold. My old man told me of a treasure
that lies in this deserted tomb enclosed by the mountains.
My archaeology can’t fail me.
My expectation should come into reality.
I know what I want to see.
Dig, dig, dig.
My mattock hits something hard.
I smile. I dig with eager fingers.
Joy lingers.
I pull out a chest.
I open it to see the fruit of my quest.
Is it gold? Is it diamond?
It should be the end of my quest.
Well, is it?
It’s a kente cloth. About 6 yards.
Beneath it is a pair of traditional sandals.
Joy dims.
I shut the chest.
I turn away. I will probably end my quest.

Thierry-Century