Max Reif - The Miner

The miner works
the deep, dark earth,
far down a long, thin shaft,

discovering
and bringing up
the gold.

He does not
keep the gold,

nor does he.
want the gold itself,
but somehow to
<i>become</i> the gold.

Meanwhile, the gold
is currency
above the earth.

The miner goes
before the light,
to plumb
the lonely shaft again.

Maybe today he'll find
a vein containing
all he's never been,
a room with all
his dreams alive
and welcoming him home.

Max Reif

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-miner-3/