A Ball of Twine

Inside this ball of twine, under overlapping layers of
coarse string, lies a gold coin
embossed with the image of the Statue of Liberty,
symbol of freedom, give us your tired, your poor.
how many have finally breathed the fresh air of the
the New York Bay, viewed the glistening skyline
for the first time.
rain and fog never completely conceal her,
have you seen her,
taller than Saturn rocket that took mankind
to the Moon, more powerful than the five
engines that launched us towards the stars
only for us to look behind us, breathless
at the beauty of the coin which will drop into
your hand one day, suddenly, as it
tumbles from beneath the last inch of
twisted coarse twine.

For my dear friend, AL.  Courage, ma cherie!