Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt

Luke 15:1-3, 8-10

You are not the broom.

Nor the lamp that lights                                                  

the room as she wraps

her head in a bright bandanna,

tucking in some stray bangs

            —you are not the wrap,

               either, by the way.

You are not her straw-colored

eye as it sweeps the room

for signs of lost treasure.

You are certainly not the floor plan,

modern map with a vivid X

marks the spot. You are not

that red X, crossed arms bright with meaning

            —that place she’ll settle her shovel’s blade,

 sure of finding your silver (needing polish).

But you crouch there

beneath cross and dirt,

chest of hidden worth,

silent and not wanting to be spent

—used up for such costly things

    as she desires for her home.

You are not the broom, lamp, wrap

or map nor even the chest itself.

You are her treasure within

stamped plainly with her shining

image. And you are to be spent freely

            —on the world

                she holds so dear.