Fay L. Loomis | Chainsaw Pennies

Musk says chainsaw the one cent
costs more than three cents to produce.

Does he know the magic a penny holds
for a kid born shortly before WWII?

Candy corn, Bazooka Bubble Gum, licorice –red or black
jelly beans, Hot Lips, Tootsie Roll, colored suckers. Wow!

Been collecting found coins for several years.
Two tea tins crammed full, mostly pennies.

Bu Shen Yang Gan Tea, astragali for fitness and longevity, Pekin Chine
picture of an old robed man seated on a woven mat, cup in hand.

Orange Ginger Mint, The Republic of Tea
displays a teapot, nestled on black leaves, scorching red sky.

I pick up paper rolls from the bank
awkwardly wrap the vagabond coins.

Discover I have ten one-dollar bills (who threw them away?)
pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and two Euros.

I stand at the window while my deposit is counted. Two lumpy rolls
rewrapped. The women now understand my challenge.

I deposit $34.75 into my checking account.
Not bad for a previous hoarder.

I rarely find money these days
know I’ll never have this experience again.

FAY L. LOOMIS leads a quiet life in the woods in Kerhonkson, New York, USA. Member of the Stone Ridge Library Writers and the Rat’s Ass Review Workshop, her poetry and prose appear in numerous publications, including five poetry anthologies. In 2024, Fay’s first chapbook Sunlit Wildness (Origami Poems Project) was published. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee.