Wrinkled History

Ever wonder where that old one dollar bill has been?

It was just an ordinary object

That old one dollar bill

Nothing important, really

After all, how much can be bought with a one dollar bill.

A few pieces of candy?

A soda?

A package of paper?

Maybe it could buy that piece of yarn

You tie your shoes with every day?

I know it won't pay the phone bill.

Certainly not the house note.

What's so great about an old one dollar bill

That can't be used for much more

Than the purchase of a few sweets?

 

That old one dollar bill

Crinkled and wrinkled with wear and tear

Creased precisely in several different places

From frequent foldings as it was shoved

Carelessly into your musty pocket.

Faded from too many washings and being left

Too long in the sunlight.

 

That old one dollar bill

The silent observer

Carelessly passed from hand to hand

Not of much value

Useless at best

Yet it's always watching through the threads

Of your back pocket

 

That old one dollar bill

The all-seeing eye

Watches silently as a young girl

Cries softly on her bed

While her parents scream defiance

Love lost beneath small trivials

Anger replacing happiness...

 

That old one dollar bill

Lay crumpled in the father's jacket

His sole companion as he saw

The eyes of his baby girl

Flutter for the very first time.

 

That old one dollar bill

Peace and war in the Eagle's claws

Speaking its motto

E Pluribus Unum---out of many ONE

So far from home, the young soldier presses

That old one dollar bill

Between his praying hands

Falling to his knees

While the world he knows explodes

A small symbol of hope

Of why he's fighting in the foreign fields.

 

An old one dollar bill

That's all it was

A symbol far beyond its worth

Viewing history not enscribed in textbooks

A spectator to life's normality

Of the wrinkled histories of young and old

After all, what's the value of the grand

Without the simple daily occurances

That gives this world its joy---

Things like that old one dollar bill

Simply worth little

Simply it's ALL.

Reviews

[Joseph - Michael]

I don't really have any suggestions for you, but I assure you that somebody else will. BUT, do not take their words for it, only to listen what they have to say, adapt the words, then write what you want to write as long as you're happy with.

As far as I can say is that I enjoyed how you used the bold font repeatly. That was really good. Also, I like how you write about a dollar bill that happened to be worth priceless...

[Fran Marie]

Of the wrinkled histories of young and old

After all, what's the value of the grand

Without the simple daily occurances

That gives this world its joy---

Things like that old one dollar bill

Simply worth little

Simply it's ALL.


And it is all after all,in the cycle of life itself~wrinked and worn
tattered and torn~ yet it lives on as it makes the heartbeat of history
within the lines~ beautifully penned and enjoyable to read~

Thanks for sharing

[The Grammar Nazi]

Wow, this is rather a random take on the thought of a simple bill. Nice write, very well penned.
Obviously I do need to read more of your work. This one was pretty interesting, because the perspective taken is so random.

[Sarah Emily]

yeah that dollar bill can tell a lot about different stories
like the saying a picture is worth 1,000 words
great work
sarah

[['tatiz speis]]

I agree with ZoeJane
'that old one dollar bill' be slightly rephrased in some the repeats in each stanza
Other than that, I would have to say it's a really good piece, and I love the allusion to what's actually one the dollar bill. That was my favorite stranza out of the whole piece! Good job.

[Heidi]

wow! longest poem i think ive ever read. lol. i really like the thoughs

[Blackbirdsong]

I can't think of anything to change in this either. It's wonderful. I am always amazed at what inspires creative people and here something as commonplace as a dollar bill has inspired you to write this really great poem. I love how you take us as a journey with this poem. I especially love how you have the all-seeing eye part. That was brilliant.

[Roger Ferguson II]

O_O never thought i'd enjoy reading something about a dollar, ^.^

[bluessadmood]

well its certainly has lots of thought in it which i find essential in every writing ,the more thought you send in a writing the more deep and calling for deeper thinking,it gives it weight and strengh ,even if the structure is bad is the ideas and thoughts you put in a writing that counts

[Recklesseyes]

Wow! I love this poem. Tells a great story. Something to really think about in comparison to an ordinary little thing we all know or see everyday like an old dollar bill. Love the storylines here. Nice images. Great job.