Fool’s Gold

I came to the river
with a thirst in my eye
But the current was faster
than the vision was dry.
So I sat on the bank
and I cursed at the sky
And wished for a reason
to pack up and die.

Then I harkened a rumble
that gave me the heart
To leap from the shoreline
and make a new start.
With the power of Moses
and a river to part,
I loaded my jitney
and hitched up the cart.

I rode in the morning
with the heat in my face
And glanced past my shoulder
at the home I'd replace.
Then I glanced in a mirror
at the lines I could trace;
Indelible memories
that wouldn't erase.

After ten days of travel
I unpacked the mule.
I gave him a stable
and fed him some gruel.
Then toasted some whiskey
with the lonesome old fool
'til the wisdom of ages
sprang forth from my drool.

The morning light found me,
my feet in the stream;
Planning the panning
and dreaming the dream.
But my glittering fancy
had a withering gleam.
For the fool chases rainbows
- no ends to the mean.