“Elegy for the Penny,” by Catherine Bowman

July 13, 2026What will I give you nowfor your thoughts. Without thosetwo pairs of copper eyesin my pair of copper loafers,who will guide the childfeet in me across Heaven’s and Hell’sstreets. How will I learn to lookup instead of to the earth as Ikneel down hoping no one sees,to scoop the lost and forgottenfrom a puddle of mudin a church parking lot,knowing that’s what brings luck.And where will be the motherdigging down in her purseamong the tobacco dregs, coral lipstick,and half-sticks of Wrigley Spearmintchewing gum to pull out a giftfor fountains and sacred wells.To play poker and smell my penniedfingers. And all that candy.What could be prettier!And up in Heavenin vault after vault,laid out side by side,wrapped tight in neat rows,roll after roll of pinchedbundled blessings,Lincolns in