As I roam my neighborhood,
I keep my eyes out for
discarded treasures.
I bring home pieces of rope,
elastic hair bands
(unappreciated by my wife),
and slightly used ink pens.
Once, I collected dozens of
ziplock bags scattered across
my neighbors' yards by
drive-by marketers hawking
pressure washing or lawn care.
Each contained a business card
(perfect for my fire pit) and
a few pebbles to weigh them down.
The pebbles I left behind.
Reluctantly.
My wife is accustomed to these
shenanigans, and puts up token
resistance each time I bring a
treasure home.
Today, though, was a Hall of Fame moment.
Today, I liberated a slightly used
black beret from the grass outside a
construction zone. I bet only a couple
of cars had run over it.
I wonder if God feels this giddy
when he collects a wayward
soul from the gutter?
Author Bio:
Mick is a writer, father, and effing bug slayer who is not allowed to buy his own clothes. His creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry have appeared in numerous consumer magazines, newspapers, literary journals, and three books of poetry. He is a member of the Gwinnett County Writers Guild and founding member of the Snellville Writers Group. In 2018, he created the ‘Books and Beer’ reading series to benefit the local food co-op. He lives with his wife and a dozen larcenous squirrels in Atlanta, GA. His next book is coagulating nicely. More at www.MickeyKulp.com.