Thank you to Nilavro Nill Shoovro for publishing this poem in the May issue of Our Poetry Archive (OPA.)

https://ourpoetryarchive.blogspot.com/2020/05/linda-imbler.html

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

The sun will die neither by asteroid nor man,

but by burning away of its sparkling shimmer.

Tragically, Icarus fell from the upper levels of the stratosphere,

as intense heat burned his wings and sent him plummeting.

Not all that glitters is gold, nor is it so dangerous;

such as the twinkle is a man’s eye when he sees his girl.

The gleam of stars which we can buy, and name, and dream upon,

or the glint of a sincere and friendly smile from an advancing friend.

The luster of newly shampooed hair.

The flickering of candlelight within the deepest dark.

The dazzle of diamonds and the shimmer of a rainbow.

The sparkle of a clear, clean lake on a calm day.

Yes, not all that glitters is gold,

but are these things not just as precious?