Redemption

I stepped into this Antique store
And was trapped.
A blue tag was hung on my sleeve.
It has since been modified now and again
With red or white marks. Occasionally
I shuffle around to a different part of the store,
Mix in with fresh traffic.
An elderly lady appearing
As though she were born
Into the gray coat she wears
Has been by twice to look me over.
A young couple twiddled the rough of my coat
And I protested I was not to be sold in pieces.

Why do I not just leave, you ask?

I have not been pondered over this much
In years, nor, no matter the mark down,
Have I been this valued in near memory.
And the young red-head in short-shorts
Who thinks I might be an interesting novelty
Leaning in a corner of her living room has given me
My first hope of purpose in a decade.

*

Ken Poyner’s four collections of brief fictions, four collections of speculative poetry, and one mixed media collection, can be found at most online booksellers. He spent 33 years in information systems management, is married to a world record holding female power lifter, and has a family of several cats and betta fish. Individual works have appeared in “Café Irreal”, “Analog”, “Danse Macabre”, “The Cincinnati Review”, and several hundred other places. Find out more at: www.kpoyner.com