Shiny Penny

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The shiny penny was once in mint condition
But after years of handling, misuse and abuse
The penny became dull, ugly and unwanted

Left to lie cold in the gutter
Dropped from the holder, kicked to the curb
Not a second glance from the lonely passerby

Bound to this unforgiving world, though
Tempered and created by hands of man
No one to see it’s soul, no one to hear it’s cry

But alas, one man with a heart of gold
And sense in his mind beyond the years he was old
Stooped down low to pick up this prosaic penny

Upon further inspection he understood it’s great worth
Created by man, but nurtured by earth
With a grin he pocketed this now wanted penny

Finally at home he took out his supplies
With a soft cloth and solvent he cleaned the penny to it’s prime
When he was all done the penny glowed soft with new shine

Storing it in a safe, protective clear case
The proud owner put the penny on display
No longer was the penny dull, ugly or unwanted

No more will the penny be misused and abused
With just a touch of love and attention
The penny shines like new

Author's Note

any advise or comments! Thx

Reviews

[Poeticadia]

Great narrative. I like the personification of the penny... and the tender relationship that develops between "the penny" and the "lonely passerby".

[Tommy]

Yes, the sense of worth or cent of worth. I find beauty in your verse, and a quality of priceless ability. I like the many metaphors this gives. I think this is the true quality of a writer, who can write a piece that can be read over and over and take on new meaning each time...

Great Write!
RLG,
Tommy

[ice]

The story line is very good, Denise
You need to improve how the poem flows..poetry being only a short step under music...
Try to get a rhythm going, which is the hard thing to do with free verse.
But you can do it..
I enjoyed reading it..
ice

[An owl on the moon]

There is a beauty to this work just on the surface of its intentions. And yet, as a metaphor it can have such a sweeping tone of grace and redemption. What a gentle, wondrous work.

[Crowley]

If you ever read any of my reviews.....why would you really, you would know that I love poetry that puts reality in perspective and this is one of those. I love the story quality of the writing and the thought behind it was nothing short of glorious. I always thought the penny was underrated.....nice job.