It was on the beach that I found   it

A smooth, green, glistening   stone

It was of a noble complexion

And had chosen to lie alone

I’d been walking for almost an hour

Collecting things, just as you would

Now there was this pebble so small, green and round

I’d seen nothing else half as good

I lifted it from its pillow of sand

And carried it into my den

I gave it a place of honor, between two feathers and an old pen

I went back early next morning

To look at the treasure

I’d won

The  shining queen of all marbles

A perfect wee emerald sun

But the den was dark as I entered

As though someone had broken the spell

The stone that I saw looked dry and dull

You could see it was not feeling well

It was on the beach that I left it

It did not belong to me

I set it down, and softly spoke

My apologies to the sea