existing in a world
that weathers wanderers like stones
stirred upon a stream’s bed
every bounce
a blow that promises change
every jounce
a mark of character
enough
and a surface is worked smooth
or cracks
deep fissures
filling with sediments solidify
creating veins of new colours
that decorate and corrupt
interesting weaknesses
compress with time and pressure
new layers build
only to be chipped away
leaving edges bared
ready to wound
or be displayed by the right
craftsman’s hand
someone took the time
to pan wanders from stream beds
sifting through muck
searching for trinkets to please
some might be worth fortune
even the smallest
near discarded shard
could tell a story that would
make you weep
but they are silent
content to rest in riverbeds
children’s pockets
or a prospectors bucket
always it is others
that chose their fate
though God already knows
their facets, crafted with love
©2026 Mary Grace van der Kroef
Mary Grace Writing 