how they laugh now

after years of sifting
the river
for gold.
I heard the strike
of a hard stone hitting
my worn
rusted pan.

I held it to the sun,
it glittered real.
it felt and tasted real.

I proclaimed to everyone
that I was rich.
that I was done.

I threw my pan to the ground
sold my gear,
my burrow.
dusted off my clothes
and washed my hands.

I was done.

how they laugh now.