Ted Kooser: "On the Road"

By the toe of my boot,
a pebble of quartz,
one drop of the earth’s milk,
dirty and cold.
I held it to the light
and could almost see through it
into the grand explanation.
Put it back, something told me,
put it back and keep walking. 

"On the Road" by Ted Kooser, from Delights & Shadows. © Copper Canyon Press, 2004.  

Photography credit: "Rutilated Quartz," by unknown photographer, found at this link (originally color).