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Three China Men

Today was another one of those great inspirational days. Did excavator work in what most Americans would call, wilderness. Had to cross a very beautiful river with my machine along a small highway that eventually ends up in Elk City.

The water ran fast and deep, up over my waist but nothing for a heavy machine.

While building a road for an owner I asked about a mound very high and obvious on his property. The mound had large tree’s growing out of it and was very near the river.

His answer was, “That mound is where three Chinese workers that took part in the gold rush a long time ago, are buried…”

Way cool and it fit the atmosphere. The sun was bright and clear. The river low and clear. And literally millions of lady bugs clustered together getting ready for winter. You could feel the spirit in the air…

Now, the reason the mound was tall and proud was that the miners mined all around the graves looking for the ample gold, and in respect, left the ground the men were buried in, alone.

I say the mound is large and tall, and for perspective, it is. Around twenty feet high and 40-50 feet in circumference.

Very nice day and very inspirational for writing.
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Nugget of Respect

A world giving treasure for those who labor
Toiling and tearing the earth, looking for yellow gold
Men and women, pursue
and work
and dare
to live
and die
for within is the lure.

With brawn and iron
revealing through layers
the dust
the nugget
with so much in price paid.

Citizens from all around the world
bonded by the glimmer
the shine
the gold
From Italy, Germany, Poland, China
In this hunt, this endeavor
some were murdered
some were part of accidents
some were never found.

Three died and were buried
Three born in China and now, far from home pursuing the dream
of gold.

Did they find what they sought?
No, but with some dignity
they were buried
poor
tired
dead…
but for the gold?

Resting below those now resting for eternity
Only a few feet below the bones
There also rested the worlds largest gold nugget
1200 ounces…
a fitting resting place for them and those.