Nothing Gold Can Stay

When autumn comes and all the trees
Have a crown of golden leaves
They shimmer in the waning light
And dance like stars in the night
But they fall and turn to dust
Like all gold things must

You a child, young and free
Skipping through these leaden trees
Viewing life with eyes new and fresh
As freckles dot your chubby flesh
Lightly humming a simple rhyme
Ignorant of the passing time
You a child lively at play
Unaware that nothing gold can stay

Down the passage of time you go
Leaving behind the world you know
You have great worries but joys too
And then you meet someone new
Your soulmate, your love for life
And soon you are husband and wife
These first days your love is so new
There is a smile in all that you do
But you will know someday
That nothing gold can stay

Soon you’re a family of three
As you welcome a new baby
With your fingers, you gently trace
Toes like pink pearls, a perfect face
With a joy like none before
You hold the child you adore
Softly in your arms, they lay
Yet nothing gold can stay

Now it’s your child, young and free
Dancing beneath those laden trees
Watching them as they quickly learn
With clever hands and eyes that discern
They show you the treasures they found
On the trees, hills, and the ground
Your heart fills as you watch them play
But nothing gold can stay

It seems as if overnight
They grew beautiful and bright
You watch them meet someone and go 
Just like you did long ago
And your home is back to two
With just your spouse and you
You always knew you’d see the day
Alas, nothing gold can stay

At first, you don’t know what to do
But soon, grandkids come to see you
You watch them play and giggle
You hug them tight as they wiggle
At night you two sit and talk
Down memory lane, you often walk
You see the sunlight fade away
You know nothing gold can stay

You feel more pain when you awake
And more medicine you take
You watch those you know and love, die
You know your time is passing by
You spend it with those for whom you care
Giving it all. Soon you won’t be there
Then like the leaves, you fall and lay
Nothing gold can stay

Written & Submitted by:
Chloe Rachelle
Hawaii, USA

 
Read more poems in our Verses of Faith collection

About the Author: Chloe Rachelle Wilson is a passionate poet and storyteller, drawing inspiration from her faith in Christ and the rhythmic ebb and flow of the ocean. Her perfect day includes curling up with a good book, creating thoughtful poetry, and indulging in the delicious treats her sister makes. Visit ChloeRachelle.com to experience more of her poetry and published works.

Interesting Fact: This poem takes its title from a Robert Frost piece, but beyond the title, the inspiration does not carry over, as the poems diverge completely.

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