I spent some time thinking alone Until eventually I work up enough of an opinion To put in my two cents. And I think of my mom and dad Working their fingers to the bone Dark circles under their eyes Shifting around on unsteady hips Working Because, they tell me, 'hard work pays off!' Working Already old at 45 Working. But I stare down at those thoughts of mine Pennies, in an otherwise empty jar And I wonder if those thoughts Will ever add up to enough To be worth a ****.