what the wise never know

the truest gold is not the one that shines
what's best may not be always sharp nor loud
skill mixed with sapience is what best refines

what once required a long stint in the mines
will now cover all those who are not proud
the truest gold is not the one that shines

they pay the price in prison time or fines
but leave before they earn themselves a shroud
skill mixed with sapience is what best refines

those who succeed won't draw within the lines
the field they rule is not the one they ploughed
the truest gold is not the one that shines

we'll wait for sunset here to gild the pines
this keeps us just ahead of all the crowd
skill mixed with sapience is what best refines

those who find the way will quaff those wines
that are devoted to the ones who vowed
the truest gold is not the one that shines
skill mixed with sapience is what best refines