Best Penny Poems
So many pennies,
lost in the system,
rejected, neglected,
dejected -
cursed by '99' price tags,
a charity box favourite,
nobody wants nor waits for.
So many forgotten pennies,
lost on the streets or behind our sofas,
yet pounds are never thrown away.
Both are round, so why do they only care for the pound?
Maybe its a matter of currency and colour,
or social structure, value and power.
No pound without pennies,
only empty piggy banks and jars,
but pound lovers take pennies for granted,
abuse us, belittle us, try to control us.
They get jealous of our shine,
try to manipulate us into a mouldy depression -
no wonder there are so many homeless pennies.
When did we stop being a priority,
descend to the bottom of society.
Just because we are misunderstood, do not fit in,
we are still round, but ignored by the system
a conflict of civilisation.
Imagine if all the pennies got together,
instead of being slaves to the pound?
Then surely we'd be stronger,
or would we just become pounds?
Has the penny dropped yet?
Sunday thoughts
Silent One
9 February 2020
It is in the grey of icy evenings
When those dimly-lit wishes seem to fade,
A bitter nip, a woe this season brings
The chafing of hope's ardor, delayed.
Even though I grieve during the passage
Of summer’s festive and vigorous trails
How could I not ponder on this new stage;
As the quiet of misty Fall unveils
Reflective pauses where breaths gently ease
The dark and long wait of unanswered squall;
Endowing thoughts with a hymnal reprise
And, guiding stillness with poise that enthrals.
It must be the cold flakes in dusk-like stent
That restores hope with godly contentment.
Sara Kendrick’s A Penny For Your Thoughts Contest
“Hope is faith holding out its hand
in the dark.” ~George Iles
-----------
by nette onclaud
3/20/2015
"The best things in life come in threes . . . friends, dreams and memories"
Author unknown
_____________________
Old and new friends are gems to cherish in my heart,
In my darkest hours friends have held me close;
Although in time we may be miles and miles apart
They have listened with tears to my sad grieving prose.
All my days are reverie and my nights lost in dreams,
And with my dripping pen I create my poetry;
With dream inspired words, lines, emotions and themes,
Sorrow has made me the poet I was meant to be.
Ah, memories, memories so bittersweet,
In my mind I see our old house amongst the trees;
I have memories of mom's tangled garden seat,
Of bright, heavenly flowers waving in the breeze.
And through the years I have learned life is deep,
Entangled with friends, dreams and memories to keep.
______________________________
March 14, 2015
Poetry/Sonnet/A Penny For Your Thoughts
Copyright Protected, 03-653-995-14
All Rights Reserved, 2015, Constance La France
For the Standard contest, A Penny For Your Thoughts,
sponsor, Sara Kendrick, Judged 04/2015
Third Place
Penny Hearts
I remember my penny hearts,
The ones you carved and painted red.
Each night I clutched them to my heart
While dreaming of you in my bed.
You were my first sweet Valentine.
I recall the deep love we shared;
How you pursued me with flowers,
And poetry to prove you cared.
Our romance soared into the clouds.
Your handsome face I memorized,
Each lash, each curve of your tan face
Etched in my mind, immortalized.
Constant daydreams would fill my days
Until at last we could unite
To capture stars within our eyes.
Our future seemed so very bright.
But alas, it was not to be.
So many things that would divide
Our sacred love that we both felt
Was doomed and buried deep inside.
With joy I'll always remember
How great it felt to be a part
Of a tender love so inclined
To value high, each penny heart.
1-24-18
*Dedicated to my first love who spent hours carving
those pennies into hearts to create a bracelet for me.
~First Place~
Romantic Valentine Contest - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Emile Pinet
A
saying that's been around forever
Where it came from I haven't a clue
There's many phrases just like this one
So familiar to both me and you
PENNY
is a word not heard much these days
Its value is less than a cent
We used to get a big bag full of candy
At the store, it was a big event
FOR
many years its value has decreased
There's a rumour they'll not longer exist
Where's this technological age leading us
The good old days I dearly miss
YOUR
thoughts are probably, what an old geezer
He can't keep up with the times
But us old guys lived a much simpler life
For those good old days we still pine
THOUGHTS
of sodas, ice cream and lollipops
Linger in the depth of our being
Tears can be seen trickling down our cheeks
A sad but a joyous a feeling
Inspired by the following quote: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." — Helen Keller
Why am I crying now; there must be a reason
Is there something my conscious mind’s trying to hide
Or could it simply be this humid, warm season
The torment of seeking answers can’t be denied
There are days when I wake with a smile on my face
Grateful for many blessings that have been bestowed
But after nightmares, I feel I’ve fallen from grace
Anomalies exist in my genetic code
Like my Mom, I struggle to break from depression
Never understanding why feelings overwhelm
Perhaps I pay for a forgotten transgression
Is it a smile or a frown today at the helm
Sometimes I have tendencies to internalize
But the causes of these I cannot analyze
*Written March 14, 2015, for Sara’s “A Penny for your Thoughts” contest.
It’s the fifth of November; Bonfire Night is finally here
The guy is set alight, oh how the little children cheer
Smoke billows, flames dance, tiny faces are aglow
We eat hot chestnuts; munching them with great gusto
Mummy gives me a sparkler it burns with a dazzling light
Sparks fly like liquid silver, they are wondrous sight
Such a kaleidoscope of colours light up the evening sky
A rocket blooms like a chrysanthemum way up high
Golden sparks stream as the catherine wheels spin
Hear the cracker jack explode; their noise makes such a din
Fireworks illuminate the sky, the crowd gasps with delight
The display ends in a crescendo on this gala Guy Fawkes night
Penny for the guy Contest
Sponsored by Shadow Hamilton
11~01~16
Penny for the guy
C’mon mister give us a penny for the guy
This little ragamuffin asked with sad eyes brimming
Need the money to buy food she said with a cry
We are poor mister tearful eyes still streaming
Overhead great sparking rockets fly,
The girls guy looked sad and cold
C'mon mister a penny for the guy
She shouted as the oohs and aahs echoed around
Great Catherine wheels spun round and round
Sending sparks far and wide, in a colourful array
The smell of hot chestnuts making us drool
November the 5th is a fine fun day
Then through the smoke of the bonfire
Enjoying the fun sparkler in hand …. I saw
A cracker jack was lit by the sad guy
He jumped so high, ran, staying still no more
The guy she pushed for many a night
Was her brother who had been bribed to stay still
He tried but was the fright of the cracker jack
that made him jump and run up the hill.
Penned nov 2 2016
“I don't really wanna know what makes you leave, or when you'll be back.
I just wanna know what will make me cry at your arrival.”
? Ade Santi
Was a cold and dismal night, you strode out
Why did your mind choose such a time to leave
What was so important, you had no doubt
This was the now, you so strongly believed.
Our life was on an even plateau, yes
boring at times, did we see each other.
Familiarity breeds hope I guess
Yet did not look and we did not bother.
Yet on your return how will I behave
Welcome home, or ask you why have you come
Do I want to cry, beg you like a slave
Or turn the other cheek, what's done is done
I bury my thoughts too raw to expose
As I buried the love, under my nose
Penned 17 March 2015
On
a cold
autumn eve,
playful fingers
tangled, soft and shy.
The smell of hot chestnuts
wafted through the milling crowd,
a promise of comfort and warmth.
We watched, you and I, the skies explode
as rockets declared their secret desires.
Catherine wheels danced a dizzying response
while the bang of crackerjacks echoed,
spilling smoke quick into the night.
"Penny for the guy?", they cried.
Sparklers lit, searching lips,
the most tender touch.
We kissed, my heart
reflected
in your
eyes.
Date: 25.11.2016
*There is no category for a double etheree that I could see.
Mr. Franklin "coined" that old saw, "A penny saved is a penny earned!"
I mused upon that fabled adage and for the olden days I yearned.
Then, a penny was worth a cent, but, alas, it ain't no more.
Ah! The myriad of things a penny could buy at the local store!
For a penny you could send a postal card through the mail.
And for a mere copper you'd get your weight read on a scale!
A penny would give you a handful of nuts from peanut machines,
And for the same, get a fistful of scrumptious and colorful jellybeans!
I recollect the cutesy cards we shared for the school Valentine party.
They cost a cent apiece and were so witty and so very arty!
As the cards were distributed, secret admirers gave a sly grin.
Blushin' lads received saccharine cards much to their chagrin!
A copper penny would purchase a huge all-day sucker to lick,
Or a twisted string of chewy red or black licorice on a stick!
You could buy a kite with your penny or some candy cigarettes,
Or some wax-bottled sugar water or silly false teeth sets!
Ain't it ironic that the profile of Honest Abe whom we so revere,
Appears on the coin that we toss about and treat so cavalier!
Even in my second childhood, I'll still pick a penny off the ground!
Shucks! "Someone's disdain for that lowly coin is my treasure found!"
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
First Place Win in Joe Flach's "In Other Words" Contest - September 2010
I am a shiny penny
just minted, brand-new
You'll find me in pockets
of shoppers like you
My value's dropped
as some've stopped
carrying cash at all; now
as passe as 'cruising the mall'
But there still is one place
where I can yet shine --
on the innocent face
of a kid under nine
He likes that I'm shiny
A quarter's often not
So find me that kid
'fore my copper grow spots!
A penny for your thoughts
now think before you talk
then tell me how you feel, so true and so real
as emotions continue to build
no longer hiding behind a wall or shield
no reason to oppress or repress
if you'd only let go and express
you'd feel so much more than refreshed
be freed from reality that bleeds and leads to insanity
so candidly let me be there to rid you of all your fears,worries and doubts
for letting go you cannot go without
so let the words run freely from your mouth
for you I will be there,unconditionally
glistening with a sparkle in my eye
listening with undivided attention
with no tensions mentioned
and when all you have to say is said and done
and your complete trust I have won
My only require is for you to inquire me of all my thoughts
after all a penny's all it'll cost
I found a penny on the floor
I picked it up and found some more!
Not one or two or three or four
But many pennies I adore.
I yelled and screamed how
Happy for me, my brother's
And sister's just laughed
At me.
I thought how rich I was and then
I dream t of ways to spend and spend.
I took them all, ran out the door
And headed for the nearest store.
I thought of toys and games to buy
And planes that flew up in the sky.
I wanted sweets and gum to chew
And oh yes of course a ball or two.
I walked along so happily
And then ahead what did I see?
A tattered man, how sad was he.
His clothes were torn, his face
Was thin he had a sign there
Next to him.
It said "Please can you help
Me some?" A dime, a quarter
I'll work for crumbs.
I put my pennies in his cup
He smiled and said "Oh thanks
A lot"
A wonderful feeling came over me
I am as rich as I can be......
Isn't it funny how people see money
pieces of metal so very small
there's not a lot you can do
with a penny or two
money itself has really no uses at all
it used to be beads and once it was shells
at least you could wear them and buy or sell
how many have a dim view of money
pieces of paper so wafer-thin
there's not much you can fill with a note or a bill
money itself has very few ways it can thrill
its value is based on the bars of gold
buried in the basement of a bank
and whomever says whatever they're worth
is who we have thank
the root of all evil isn't money it's man
he'll wheel deal and steal to grab all he can
the more money he has the more money he needs
the root of all evil is mankind and his greed