several times my feet have stopped shuffling
beside a penny, so shiny and round and several times
I've looked down and wanted to pick it up, but I wasn't
ready to stop on the way to my downtown.
I never noticed your frown

several times I've asked myself what I would not give
for your thoughts, or your feelings, or even just to hear
you say, "Have a nice day, don't think too long
about yesterday, it's already made it's play..."

that penny, that I shuffled past, is now my enemy
my nemesis in a world that I'm lost in, a portent
that sways yesterday's grab at life's lessons, a portal
that opens the door to all my transgressions...

if only I had stopped to pick up that penny

yesterday

I'd know what you were thinking today

*but I can't afford to pay