Notes About The Poem

Gold Dredging

Gold Dredging

                                                 Early morning first light
                                 Camped on the rugged, mountainous terrain
                             Out of our warm sleeping bags and tent we crawl
                        To the smells of pine and clean fresh air of the mountain
                              Wood starts a sizzling, spitting, crackling campfire
                             For early morning hot coffee and a warm breakfast
                                         I Dress in tee shirt and swim suit,
                                               Hubby is in his wet suit

                                           We walked down to the creek
                              Pull the dredge into the creek and get it started
                            When he hits bedrock where gold might be hiding
                                    I stand beside the sleuth watching the
                                           Gravel run over the riffles
                                       I make sure the riffles stay clean
                                                So the heavy gold
                                  Will deposit behind them and on the mat
                               I see the flash of color and utter excitement
                                     I yell, “We've hit gold,” impatient
                                       With my tweezers and small jar
                                              For safekeeping and
                                               I keep on cleaning


                  When the day is done, tired, wet, and weary as a drowned rat
                                 We clean the miners mat into a bucket
                   By the campfire we sit and pan our gold from the black sand
                       After the hard day’s work we undertook, it is wonderful
                              To see all the sparkling gold dust in my pan

                                     The same warm excited feeling
                                     I felt when my husband placed
                                 My gold wedding band on my finger

12/27/2014
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A   Avatar
January 15, 2015 at 11:58 PM
awes Eve, thanks for the compliment. PD
Roper Avatar
January 16, 2015 at 8:49 AM
"Sweet Sugar Cookies and Peanut Butter Bars”, Written to entice the addicted sweet tooth like mines, you forgot coconut cake, and white chocolate doughnuts. God has blessed you with the pen.
A   Avatar
January 11, 2015 at 9:35 PM
EVE,, congratulations on your well-deserved win, enjoying the elements above. Always :) LINDA
Roper Avatar
January 11, 2015 at 10:34 PM
Thank you, Linda, so much for the compliment from a true artist. Blessings eve
Sietesantos Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 2:23 PM
My friend, you deserve no less than a solid "7" for this golden beauty! Congratulations on a sweet win! Warmest regards.
Roper Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 2:34 PM
It was so much fun. Blessings dear friend
Roper Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 2:31 PM
Thank you, Pandita, I am glad you liked it. It was so much fun.
Kendrick Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 2:10 PM
I knew it was going to be a winner. Congrats.Sara
Roper Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 2:29 PM
Thank you, Sara, for your confidence, I wasn't so sure. Blessings sweet friend
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 2:43 AM
Love it Eve, congratulations on your win luv xx
Roper Avatar
January 7, 2015 at 8:17 AM
Thank you, Mandy for your visit :)
May Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 9:25 PM
A journey back in time when lots of people panned for gold.......Congrats on your win Eve
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 10:22 PM
Thank you, Joseph, this was a hobby I truly enjoyed.
Richards Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 6:11 PM
I love this poem! Coming from Northern California, we have such a history of panning for gold, so it is something we have tried ourselves, and have taken our children to a few places that still give them this opportunity! Such fun, and a bit of history too !
Richards Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 6:38 PM
Nearby, about 30 miles up our highway, is a place called "Turtle Bay"......and they have wooden sleuths, and a place for children to pan for "gold" (or at least they think they are!)....It is a museum, and have a wilderness area, a great way to spend an afternoon! :)
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 6:24 PM
Carrie, it is wonderful that you and your children have experience gold panning. It is a wonderful experience. There was a place in Oregon I think it was Wolf Creek, that someone or some company had left all their old equipment by the creek bed, the larges wooden sleuth I had ever seen .
Guzzi Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 5:52 PM
You drew us a perfect picture of something I have never seen or done and ended with romance who could beat that! Congrad's on your win, Light & Love
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 6:09 PM
Debbie, thank you for the wonderful compliment, every single artist has really taught me a lot
Yvonne Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 5:10 PM
Love this poem I added it to my favs, and I also noticed that I had not added you to my fav poets list so I did that too. Congratulations on your well deserved win!
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 6:07 PM
Maurice, thank you, you are so kind, blessing to you
Allison Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 5:05 PM
I am delighted to see this on the winners list Eve - many congrats my friend!!!!!!!:-) Hugs Jan xxx
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 6:06 PM
Jan, thank you so much my dear friend.
Kayode Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 3:01 PM
Congrats onthis fine win Eve...huggs
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 3:02 PM
Thank you, Kayod5.
Onclaud Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 2:30 PM
nothing like a bridal ring... so well done, eve.. many congrats to you!
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 2:45 PM
Thank you, Nette,yours was outstanding.
Chakrabarty Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 12:28 PM
Congratulations my dear Eve.Plenty of Love-Your friend Rajat
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 1:09 PM
Rajat, thank you so much for your wonderful comment. love Eve
Callus Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 11:09 AM
Fascinating subject that you have tackled here, Eve, and I believe you are truly writing from experience. I have been entertained, and ultimately touched by your romantic ending! Well done and congratulations! // paul
Roper Avatar
January 6, 2015 at 1:07 PM
Paul, I did spend a lot of hours doing this with my husband. It was so much fun, and the end result was just wonderful. We were averaging an ounce and a half in a weekend; the most we took out of a creek in California was 3 ounces. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment, Eve
Meade Avatar
December 29, 2014 at 11:41 AM
Precious and shiny is the Gold but most valuable is the love that shines in your heart! May your new year be filled with a love that never tarnishes. 7+
Roper Avatar
December 29, 2014 at 11:52 AM
Thank you, David; your inspiring comments are wonderful. Happy New Year and Blessings to you and your family may all your prayers and wishes come true
Smith Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 4:25 PM
Fabulous write Eve...Ive always wanted to try that as well...being a dreamer we know why.. does sound exciting but exhausting..hugs Tim
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 8:24 PM
Thank you, Tim, for your compliment. It is a lot of fun but a lot of work. The children love the adventure too. Blessings and Happy New Year
Manassian Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 3:47 PM
Oh Eve....I LOVED this. You just had me intrigued from start to finish...but WHAT A FINISH THAT WAS! So sweet...so romantic. I hope you do well with this jewel of a write. Wishing you all the best...Hugs!!!
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 4:17 PM
Thank you, Eileen, I'm glad you enjoyed my write. It is wonderful to be able to do things as a couple. "Sometimes “Blessings and Happy New Year and may all your dreams and prayers be answered
Andresen Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 2:04 PM
- Eve, this is perfect .... love it - Good luck in the contest, hoping it would win - I wish you and your family a peaceful and happy new year - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 2:35 PM
Thank you, Anne-Lise. A hobby that did pay back. Blessings and Happy New Year and have a very safe one
Fleming Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 1:52 PM
My life long ambition...to pan for gold!! Ah well johnny lad, one day, son, maybe, one day. :) john.
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Thank you, John. It was so much fun, and yes, we did fine gold. You and your sons do need to do it. Wonderful memories to be made that will stay with you forever. Blessings and Happy New Year
Allison Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 1:46 PM
Oh Eve I hope to see this one the winners list - brilliant take on the theme!!! Hugs Jan xxx
Allison Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 2:38 PM
I would so love to have a god at panning for gold
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 2:33 PM
Jan, thank you. This is one of the hobbies my husband and I did when I was in my 30's. Of all the things we did together, this was the best. Blessings and Happy New Year
Kendrick Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 1:43 PM
Reads like a winner in the contest..Way to go ...Creative idea..Sara
Roper Avatar
December 28, 2014 at 2:27 PM
Thank you, Sara. This is one of the hobbies my husband and I did when I was in my 30's Blessings and Happy New Year
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace