"Goblin Gold"

Cherry

By Rhiannonw

Fri, 15 Dec 2017
  • 1880 reads
7 comments
 

(or 'Schistostega pennata')

A disused rabbit hole – what will it hold?
about a foot inside, maybe some – goblin gold!
In semi-darkness, shines a greenish glow
from threads with lens-like cells
which, focus, turn to catch the little light
so tiny fronds can grow;
mysterious show –
some light reflects,
like scattered emeralds:
found long ago
in caves, dark clefts –
‘glow-in-the-dark’ treasures,
and now, in vacant rabbit burrow,
excited glimpse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBdkvCR2Fas

Certificate U
Poem
Nature
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

How fascinating - and that youtube clip is amazing - I'd never heard of goblin gold before - thank you for posting this!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you! That is how I felt, and wanted to gather the fascinating facts together to share. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

I'd never heard of it - how wonderful.  I heard on the radio that scientists are cultivating luminescent plants to replace lighting, I love that idea.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I hadn't heard that. I gather that glow-worms chemically produce light, but this is gathering up the weak light, using it and reflecting off some of it.. I think moss is being used in cities to improve air quality, too. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks for the cherries on this! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Magic Rhiannon, I think I remember this being mentioned somewhere in Lorna Doone. Nature is full of treasures isn't it. Delightful piece of writing.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thank you Jane, yes, and little things so complex and beautiful So gald you enjoyed it.  Rhiannon