Old Penny
It has lain for a month, untouched,
and darkening further with exposure
and time, on an inconspicuous spot
in the parking lot. Nothing about it
is attractive- its color, it's design,
it's market value. I leave it be and watch
to see if anyone sees it as a path
to better luck- that fabled lucky penny.
I defer to the better fortune of others
in my generosity. And wonder if
my own mediocre luck would worsen
were I to pick it up and pocket it.
and darkening further with exposure
and time, on an inconspicuous spot
in the parking lot. Nothing about it
is attractive- its color, it's design,
it's market value. I leave it be and watch
to see if anyone sees it as a path
to better luck- that fabled lucky penny.
I defer to the better fortune of others
in my generosity. And wonder if
my own mediocre luck would worsen
were I to pick it up and pocket it.
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Author's Note
Coin collecting dilemma
Other stories by Gary Hardaway
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Ha@\! Depends on whether head's up or down, so I'm told.
Thank you,Matt.
The penultimate sentence of "The Cask of Amontillado" by Poe is "For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them [the bones of Fortunato]." Montresor knows this because, afraid of accidental discovery of his crime, he keeps checking. For fifty years!
In this poem, the penny in the parking lot "has lain for a month, untouched." The speaker knows this because HE keeps checking. The objects of their interest differ, but he and Montresor are similar in their obsessive attentions.
I enjoyed the poem. I wish the insights of the 2nd and 3rd stanzas were 3rd person rather than 1st. I think it would be even stronger that way.
Fascinating parallel, Bill.
I love this:
"Nothing about it
is attractive- its color, it's design,
it's market value"
Thank you, Bill.
Thank you, Erika.
Ha! Life can feel like this. Ironic, well done. Deceptively pedestrian.
Thank you, Dianne.
Nice, Gary!
Thank you, Kitty.
I really like this - the ostensibly innocuous beginning culminating to a poignant, personal, dark-ish end. "my own mediocre luck" - very Russian!
Thank you, Reva.
*
Thank you, Jerry.
Ha! Love the humor & the pondering narrator. Nice, Gary.
Thank you, Ed.