Nickels And Dimes Poem by Juan Olivarez

Pennies and nickels, nickels and dimes,
Aren't what they used to be.
It's a sure thing they've seen better times,
That's how it seems to me.

Can't buy as much, the metal is cheap,
Compared to what they were.
To say they're valuable would be a leap,
Wish it was like before.

Buffalo nickels, and mercury dimes,
Ben Franklin on the half.
They used to jingle, they weren't mute like mimes,
But these new coins make me want to laugh.

To me those were the good old days,
And effort went in everything.
We've gotten sloppy in our ways,
Our coins once used to sing.