Copper Beeches
It is believed that one may get rid of bad luck by dropping a copper penny on the ground. The bad luck will go with the coin and be acquired by the next person to pick it up
Its not the copper in the veins of the land but the hand that hold the redeeming cents since it no longer scents the air with that just before lightning smell ozone fired kiln of oxygen hydrogen carbon, sweating against the blue of the sky, the taste of blood on the tongue.
Put the pennies over my eyes and let me rest.
The coins feel cold against my palm,
Their tarnished light gleams silver
And gold on pale skin,
Heaviness pulls me down
Until all I can do is hold
The thought of you
Against my breast
And weep.
The leaves turn to yellow and gold
Falling into the silvered season
Copper beeches drift in the north wind
Drawing the sound of autumn with it
Casting golden coins before the fall
— written for the dVerse prompt to write a prose-poem or incorporate passages of prose into your poem. The first stanza of Copper Beeches is a line from the penny entry of Wikipedia.
Beautifully crafted, Kathleen! I certainly believe little pennies bring luck, rather. Of little value that nobody appreciates. But if one picks it up one gives respect to it and it compensates in a big way, later! Just a thought!
Hank
I had always heard the old saying about a found penny being good luck, so it being a conveyer of bad luck was new to me, too. Thank you for your thoughtful comment – I do appreciate it. K
I love this… one of my favorites!
Thanks so much, Laurie – I am so happy that you liked it.K
So cleverly done, Kathleen! I love copper beeches (lovely, lovely trees) and the way you transitioned from the penny to the tree – wonderful! I love this one 🙂
I love those trees too – such wonderful color. Thanks for your kind words, my friend. K
Oh, nice. Beautiful segue.
And now I have the explanation for my many woes. I learned my copper lore as “see a penny, pick it up; all the day you’ll have GOOD luck”. Ach. 65 years of copper-picking bad luck.
I know – may never look at a penny the same way. Happy you stopped by and thanks for the comment. K
i do this sometimes…put pennies on my eyelids and find it restful….emotional intense write…
That is funny : ) thanks for dropping by -I appreciate it. K
really lovely… sad and poignant, but so well crafted, a great response to the prompt!
Thanks, Kelly. I so appreciate it.
This is really just a beautiful poem – I love the transition from the prosaic to the stream of consciousness pennies. Well done. k.
Thanks, k- I am happy you liked it. K
wow kathleen…a very emotional and deep write..you made the pain very visible with the copper coin image..
Thank you , Claudia. That ‘wow’ from you is my gold star for the day! K
The first stanza sets the scene well while the second with its word play an loose structure really works to convey decomposition. Creating the 3rd as a single line added to its impact. The fourth arrived like an exhalation as we settle on the finality of death. I enjoyed the weaving of copper, silver, and gold throughout. Emotionally affecting and well structured.
Anna, thank you so much for your encouraging words. K
nice…you took us on the tour of copper….the holding you to the breast was the emotional high for me…some really hard emotions in the releasing in this one for me….nicely penned ma’am…smiles.
Hi Brian – thanks – sending prayers of grace and healing to you and yours. K
i guess this post is copper righted lol
That would make ‘cents’ *smiles* K
lol
Very nice! That last stanza is especially good–it could stand alone without embarrassment. Fine work.
Thank you so much! K
I thought the the phrase was, “Find a penny pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck.” I’ll think twice about picking one up now! 🙂
Your prose-poem took me through the saddness of death, and even to just the anticipation of grief often felt during the fall season of both nature and human life.
I know, I hadn’t heard of this either – from now on, those pennies are going to be left where they lay! Thank you for your kind words. K
Good work on weaving prose and poetry ~
I like the clever transition from copper pennies to the silvered season of copper beeches ~
Enjoyed your lovely share ~
Thank you so much. K