True Worth

Ask a thirsty man
what water is like to him;
ask a blind man
what eyes are like to him;
ask a jobless person
how's life for him;
ask a maiden
what message does spring bring for her;
ask a youth
how he waits to meet his love;
ask a dying man
what life means to him;
ask a living man
how much life is dear to him;
ask me, if you will,
why I'm awake till morn;
ask you, if you don't mind,
what's meant by the 'real worth' then?
As absence makes the heart grow fonder
the dearth of a thing ascertains its true worth
aluminium was rare when first found
its abundance made it baser;
gold and gems are precious
their scarcity makes them dearer
and regardless of their own innate qualities
imparts them their 'true worth'
otherwise they would be as cheap
as coal or grit.