Written February 2009
By: John Alejandro
Shiny Aluminum Cans
Ones that are red, white, and pepsi
They are so sweet to my eye
Like unopened candies on the street
Or glints of coins that sparkle from the sun
Shiny Aluminum Cans
I search for them every morning through afternoon
The source to my existence
Every can brings forth one more hour of living
To the untrained eye they are trash
But to me they give unconditional love
Shiny Aluminum Cans
Before, I crushed them with my feet so that many will fit
Once, one sliced my big toe into a half moon of blood
But I’m grateful for my shiny little cans
Three cans equal a day’s subsistence
Ramen noodles or clearance bread
Shiny Aluminum Cans
Sometimes I don’t find many cans
Sometimes none at all
Some days I skip meals
Who needs food to live anyway?
Some days the shelter is closed
With each passerby’s unforgiving eyes
Why bathe at all?
Shiny Aluminum Cans
MY shiny cans
Although they give me life
They can’t fix my feet
They don’t make me strong
They can’t buy my grave
But they provide enough for meager space in this world.
No comments:
Post a Comment