You poured for him a bowl of liquid gold
Rich with life, and stories untold
It bubbled to the rim, a meniscus it formed
Of course with growth, uncertainty adorned.
The trickle was gentle, small enough to stop.
Small enough to account for every drop.
It rolled off of the table and you respond
Your hands, cupped together, embracing bond.
You look to him, surely for a cup.
But inside his heart, panic has bubbled up
He paces, back and forth, bounces his fear.
You watch, patiently, as line of oil grows near.
The burden is now on you, to bear the spill.
A small mountain emerges from a tiny hill.
The burden is now on you, to manage the pain.
That will be your loss, and his feign.
But you feel a pressure, it spins in your grasp.
And you realize it is no longer oil that you clasp.
Force of water, oil, and care, formed a scar.
But you have accidentally created a star.
It shines brightly, glows with elegance.
Only existing because you took a chance.
It smiles warmly, and you both know.
That to the floor it eventually must go.
Strong enough to hold a system together,
Resilient to emotional and physical weather
He keeps his distance, hands at his side,
You cradle the strength that he could not provide.
It is brave to give when they can’t meet you there,
To hold the gap with unwavering care.
But beauty is found in the fault and the spill,
In the accidents born when the panic falls still.
The signal goes out, but it echos right through,
A quiet reflection returning to you.
You will carry the star, and embody its glow
A sovereign joy that continues to grow.
Suggested Citation:
Sochat, Vanessa. "Liquid Gold." @vsoch (blog), 13 Jul 2026, https://vsoch.github.io/2026/liquid-gold/ (accessed 13 Jul 26).