The Wisdom Penny Poem by Mick Zerr

To be read to 3rd grade children after they have been given a shiny new Lincoln Penny

Children, you might think this is just a penny,
But it is much more, much more.
It is the Wisdom Penny
It is round, and represents the circle of life, this penny
It is flat, and represents a level mind.
It was as shiny as gold, when it was made,
And represented the brilliance of the sun, this penny.
It has the face of the most remembered man in our history.
A man, who started poor, and uneducated, but saw the future
As a place of opportunity to give unselfishly to his country.
It is the beginning of a dollar, a thousand dollars, a million dollars,
And all the money a man will need in his life, this penny,
For a man may earn a billion dollars, and yet, it all started with a penny.
And if he gives away his billion dollars, and keeps this first penny,
It is said that the face of Lincoln will show a smile.
Take this penny and, when you are old and wise, bring it back to me
When you see Lincoln's smile, on the Wisdom Penny.