Grab Bag Poem by David Floren

Marketplace value is often found
Behind the wrinkles of the brown
Grab bags awaiting fresh owners,
Pal. You know the onus is yours.

The sad flat drabness
Bleeds moxie from within.
The curious way grab bags
Inflate the flagging interest

Of the infrequently duped (if
Discovery of being duped
Makes for dupe) ,
Of children.

Marketplace gimmicks, people.
The drab or fab presentation.
All the same,
People fall for them.

Children who grab such bags
Are taken for a ride
Without being duped.
They plumb discovery.

Children of all ages
Find value behind the wrinkles.
Contents themselves don’t count.
The yen for unwrinkling.

No duped child
Makes good use
Of hope.

The early thrill in the gut
Turns a blind eye to
Useless contents and value
Makes an early recovery.


[5-18-05 Berkeley, CA]