Counting Pennies



An original assignment....in Middle English

A good fotball player ther hadde been.
He played for the Packers in Wysconseen.
The nombre faur he wore on his chest..
He seyde the grene and gold were alre-best.
Thryce he was cleped most important player,
A fet, many said, nedeth a preyer.
He played with corage on the feldes
Lyke a sely child in reyn holdes.
During playoff monthes on the turf gras
He wolde kepe a berd around his face.
Him thoughte to do so was good lucke
For him, his wallet, and teme’s sake.
For yeres he played with an injurie,
So he took payn drogee lyke candie.
But with the helpe of his good freendes
His problemes did come to mendes.
No humbler man hadde I ever mete
Which loved his estate with al herte.


Another original:

As a first grade penny

I toddled through the lockers
to gym class:
“Short shrimp”
“Short shave”
“Short shit.”
I walked the hall braving
the giants flocking my sides
daring the railroad tracks
waiting to be the
flattened penny
the train would
Squash and
Crush.
Banging doors like
out-of-tune tympanis
spread the scent
of innocent blood
starting the tracks
into full
vibration:
“Short shrimp.”
“Short shave.”
“Short shit.”
“Shorty.”
Don't slip.
If your gets foot caught,
The train Will
Squash and
Crush.