Rocks from grandma’s driveway-----

Shining like gold.

Broken crayons,

Red and black-----

A looking glass

Behold!

A box of jacks

To bounce and grab.

A boat,

To set sail.

A button spinning on a string,

Minds turn ‘round and ‘round.

King Edward smiles upon

The treasures of a child

And whispers to her imagination

Run child, Run wild.

Note: When I was young I used to keep my “treasures” in a King Edward cigar box that my father had given me. The items in that box were as important to me as King Solomon’s gold. I kept the box hidden behind a wall in the attic. The box contained many things…a top, a yo-yo, marbles, rocks, buttons, string, and a plastic pony and cowboy. A toy made of a button and string and marbles were my favorite things.

My grandfather made toys for me. He introduced me to the button and string. I spent hours spinning the button on the string. I often dug for marbles in my grandmother’s driveway. I found some beautiful marbles that belonged to my uncle when he was a boy. In a world in which children are focused on video games and virtual worlds - knowing nothing about pick-up sticks, jacks, or marbles – I teach the young people I know how to play marbles. My imagination was my friend. I still have my treasures.