Such a simple idea, it seems. Who gave the thing its birth?

It will affect philology and here's my two cents worth!

The penny (it is true ) is no longer an economic force,

But banning it would evermore change our speech, of course.

Tied up with the forlorn penny are many linguistic rules,

Its exit would be penny wise and make us all pound fools.

But a penny saved is, very much, still a penny earned,

And without it, clearly, much wisdom would be spurned.

Look at expressions (the "What hath God wrought's?")

What would then be offered "A nickel for your thoughts?"

The copper's departure would give my broker shocks,

He'd make no more commissions on any penny stocks.

Sentenced to the depths of Hell, akin to the Inferno of Dante,

We'd be unable to play cards (that's poker, penny ante).

The weekend repair chore very quickly fails,

If materials can't be bought; i.e., that bag of 10 penny nails.

What would the nation's children put in penny banks?

How will an honest penny be earned? Handshakes and some thanks?

When reaching for my wallet, I could no longer flinch,

I'd have to pay the bill, it seems, no longer penny pinch.

Stop currency reformation. In the end we'll all be losin'

We failed to replace George Washington with Anthony, (B. Susan)!

Before we change our dough, let's let the idea leaven,

To make sure we have left a way to get some pennies from heaven.

Copyright © 2013 by Frank Koerner