2017 Jordan Heimatfest

Oh, to be young again,
To have the strength of youth!
To run and swim and climb and then
To know that fact is truth.

That directions four do grace our Earth:
North, East, and South, and West.
That one by one as we go forth
We’ll know which one is best.

Few precious days allotted are
Our lives upon this land.
So we should gather all, from near and far
And form a searching band.

Somewhere, somehow, a golden coin
Is hid; whereat we do not know.
But hand in hand our families join
In search of gleaming glow.

Keep in mind the basic rules
As about your search you go.
Indeed they are most useful tools
Beyond the town you know.

You hungry for lunch?
Then here’s where you go!
Head for the arches,
And look below.

They’re strong and they’re sturdy.
Those pillars that span.
It’s just…they’re dirty,
Brown bags and old can.

Don’t mind the extras,
They’re there as a clue.
Try not to ignore them
Whatever you do!

Sort through the items
Surrounding that crud.
You’ll find that “one of”
Sure isn’t a dud.

There lies the gold disk--
Its glory is hidden.
Follow the exit and
Do as you’re bidden.

Hey, you seekers! 
Where’ve you been?
Hope you’re hunting
With your kin.

Taking shelter
From the storm
Out in places
Not the norm.

Sit and rest there
For a while
Choose a lunch bag
Then you’ll smile.

You can lean back
‘gainst the wall
It’s so solid
None can fall.

Cars and trucks may
Drive past nigh.
Eastward weather
Blows right by.

Keep to cover
Face the West.
Grab the gold and
You’ll be blessed.

Long ago, I learned about
A worker with the knacks,
Who looked at paper, figured out
How it could hold snacks.

She or he machined a way
To fold and seal and slap
One atop another — hey —
Paper bags to flap.

Latest version holds a disk
Of burnished, graven gold.
Clues of where it’s hidden — tsk —
Have to you been told.

Searchers, seekers: Close? You bet!
It’s still there, she hollers.
Think of what you freely get
With those Jordan dollars!

A lunch bag neatly labeled “Mom”
Waits beneath the bridge.
Look in it; you won’t say “Nom”
Nor put it in a fridge.

Driving north but heading south
And park, to climb, and — say!
Soon a smile will grace your mouth,
As prize you’ll bear away!

 

There’s a rumor going ‘round,
That what’s hidden has been found.
Someone’s hoarding gold with glee;
Has your kid gone on a spree?

Tell your child that it’s okay,
There’s no fine he’ll have to pay.
Say it’s good to have the dough
And to Heimatfest we’ll go!

Yes, Mom’s bag seems to be nabbed.
Question is: was gold coin grabbed?
Was it flung by passing racket?
Or just dropped from finder’s jacket?

Still, somewhere, there is a coin
That we hereby do enjoin'
Finder — kid or passer-by —
Bring it forth and hold it high!

No secret now about the spot,
But queries still are seekers’ lot.
Who can this be; who doesn’t share
While waiting for the public’s glare?