why am I digging?
the earth stains my fingers
and the sun drips down my cheeks
yet still,
deeper into the hole I go.
deeper, deeper.
I am knee-deep in my own blood.
the roots cut my ankles
I am in despair
then,
a man above me casts a cool shadow over my face
to shield me from the sun's tears.
as I grow weary from my labor
he climbs down to take my hand
as I breathe my final breath
I stare deeply into his soul
and find that the gems I had been searching for
were glistening behind his eyes.
