Fool's Gold

With desperation I grasp in this way and that
Hoping that I'll have enough when the day is done
In the secrecy of my humble abode, I gently unload my loot
This precious gold that was never my own
In its reflection I can see stories lived out by those better than myself
Smiling, laughing, playing, dancing
For them it was never a facade, it was simply life
Jealously feeds my intentions with force
And I ferociously piece the thieved goods into one
Try as I may, I can create nothing greater than a mosaic
Beaming faces of young children and of wise elders stare back at me without judgement
They never knew me, but their happiness flows over still
My hands tremble as I attempt to mount this beautiful new plaquard
Of stolen souls and fool's gold
Its beauty is radiant and I want to get lost in it forever
But I know that behind the perfect veneer hides a most disappointing feature
The truth
It exists out of sight but is ever present
These memories, they were never mine, and they can never be
I must return them before their rightful owners are made aware
As I yearn to  hang my prized possession, I instead let it fall to the floor and shatter
Into pieces it falls, and in pieces I must return it
One by one, I make my peace with those I have tried shamefully to mimic
Yet painfully failed to be
 When at last I am devoid of anything but myself, I sit alone and ponder
If I will ever be anything greater than a thief of beautiful moments
I must replace my wanting with a greater good
Perhaps it is time for me to begin my own plaquard
Comprised of me and you and all that has ever been
Yet I somehow failed to see
It is there I will find the inspiration
For my own authentic masterpiece