I had so many ideas, and then when I sat down to write - this one just pushed all the others aside and an old memory came back.
Trash or treasure, what do you see?
I saw a treasure placed there for me;
An old leather Bible discarded in trash
Was it unwanted, who’d be so brash?
“I hope that you’ll treasure this as much as I”
But wishes and lives must have gone quite awry.
A treasure turned trash was now in the heap;
We rescued those words before their last sleep.
A Bible so carelessly tossed out that day
Was carefully, graciously set in our way.
I’ve read both her words and the Word that’s inside
And found Comfort and Peace and a Way to abide.
I hope that the son who tossed Treasure as trash
Has found Peace in his world, new Bible in stash,
And sometimes reflects on that day long ago
When he threw out Mom’s gift before he could know.
Trash or Treasure in life, which shall it be?
What ever you make it, that’s what you’ll see.
I choose to see Treasure when I look about;
With that Wonderful Peace, there’s no room for doubt.
Though a treasure to her, it was trash in his heap,
I pray what he’s sown, is not what he’ll reap;
For that day, though he saw it as useless to him,
It opened some eyes that were growing too dim.
I thank him for giving us his Mom’s finest treasure,
And hope that he’ll reap in a similar measure.
Some trash or a treasure, what do you see?
It looked like His Treasure placed there for me.
©2014, Donna JT Smith
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| As a side note just now: I went to my online Bible to locate a verse about "treasure", then went to the actual "found" Bible to photograph it. There was a paper in the Bible, so opened it there. It was already marking the page I sought... |
I am glad you rescued that Bible, Donna, but do wonder why this man had thrown it in the trash. Your poem raises questions. Did he act absent-mindedly or was he aware of what he was doing and if so, why?
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered that myself.
DeleteReally a meaningful poem, Donna. I cannot imagine just tossing a Bible on a trash heap. Like you said I hope the one who threw it away did so because he got a new one rather than that he found the words unmeaningful in the Book. But I am glad you found the Treasure nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteLike the unknown stories behind old photos in antique shops, it is intriguing. I'd like to know more.
Deleteoh yes beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...what is trash to one is treasure to many..i love the rhythm of the lines too...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sumana. I'm happy that you dropped by today!
DeleteThe greatest treasure you will ever possess is in those old stained pages. Perhaps we should learn and treasure each word, great poem and such a powerful message.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alan. There are so many treasures to be found in those old pages.
Deleteoh what a treasure; you are so lucky
ReplyDeletehave a nice Wednesday
much love...
We have kept this Bible for about 15 years now.
DeleteThanks for the well-wishes! I hope you had a wonderful day, too!
Brilliant piece and great poem on given prompt.
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully expressed :)
Thank you. I'm happy that you liked it.
DeleteWow. I can see why you decided to write about this. And you wrote beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI started out thinking of another find recently, but then this one just intruded on my thoughts. And it was a better treasure. Thank you.
DeleteAh yes what a story here. Makes one think of various circumstances that might have put this old Bible on the trash heap--perhaps his children threw it out or some stranger cleaning out his stuff after he left.
ReplyDeleteSo many circumstances that can lead up to it. Maybe it's a story to be written.
DeleteWonderful poem, Donna. I see tragedy behind the reason why this bible found its way tot he trash heap. Surely it would not have been thrown away on purpose.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I would like to think it was just thoughtlessness.
DeleteBeautiful... & I agree, it was meant to be!
ReplyDeleteI love this poem.The beautiful inscriptions one sees in books at op shops breaks my heart. It is a great insight into the callousness of human beings. I am glad you wrote about this.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful piece - very moving. AND your rhyming is beautifully done. That is not easy!
ReplyDeleteYour words, as always, are so moving! I would like to think that somehow the Bible just got "lost" rather than thrown away - but either way, you now treasure it and that is what counts.
ReplyDeletethat'd be so rude!! to throw away Gods very own words!!
ReplyDeleteThis Bible is in very usable condition, so that wasn't the reason. But it does bring into question, and there surely must be an answer, if your Bible were too worn out and you really wanted a new one, what is the correct way to "get rid of" a Bible?
DeleteAnswer: You don't get rid of it. It meant a lot to his mother and grandmother and unless you had a heart of stone you would not get rid of it. Let us assume that Jimmy may have died and his possessions were given away.
DeleteThere are so many possible reasons that Bible landed where it did--including that it was destined to come to you. I love this as a writing prompt idea--so many fascinating directions you could go and explore treasure, greed, spiritual apathy, turns in the road, providence, second chances....
ReplyDeleteI may have to employ your "epistle brainstorming" to get to the story here!
DeleteInteresting...
ReplyDeletebut a bible is only a book, and only becomes treasure when you read it. And read it one can anytime anywheer, whatever the cover.
Lovely piece of writing, Donna! I especially like the rhymes here.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have a trash Bible too. A couple passed and their favorite treasure was multiple Bibles. The son ordered them burned. A man saved one for me.