My Poem To The Penny, A Tribute

There are more of me than there are people and I am older than any one of you. I've lived through the bloodiest wars the world has known, I've been in the pocket of kings and celeberties, I've had candy named after me and like candy have been swallowed by childen and small household pets. I've been wrapped in chains, adorned with a laurel wreath, and have carried a monument upon my back for a hundred years. When I was born in 1793 I was alot heavier. Over the next several years I changed hair styles but In 1857 I lost alot of weight and people found me more attractive. I'm part woman, part bird, part indian, and part president. Just like all of you, as I've gotten older I've become less than what I was. I was once worth alot more. People would punch holes in me and sew me into their coats so I wouldnt be lost. Now people throw me in the garbage and when they see me lying on the ground they dont even stop to pick me up. Many people say I am useless and shouldnt be around anymore. I disagree. My old friend Ben once said that if I am saved then I am earned. I'm not sure exactly what this means but I know there is a reason for you to save me. You see, I am alot like you. There are billions of me and billions of you. Many of me lie far beneath the soil as well. I like you have been called disposable and worthless at times. But like you each one of me is very different. We all have different scars and have been through different journeys. We all have a story. Some of us our worn and some of us are as fresh as the day we were created. Not all of us are legendary. Like me, you may not be an 1877 or a 1909s vdb. But we all serve our purpose and we are all unique. So the next time you hold me in the palm of your hand, I hope that you can see your reflection in me, ponder what I've been through, and know that we are not so different after all.

John David Harvey