gutter finds

rusted hubcap.
wire from a hanger. ball
of twine. three
soda cans, their tops
carefully removed
with a pair
of tin snips.

even gutter finds
can be redeemed
by two hands
willing
to get dirty, provided
with a bit of myth
and imagination

where all things
can speak for themselves
(should you dare
to ask)
weaving a story
as old as time and drunk
on absinthe dreams
since nothing is
as it seems.

and there in a one room
apartment (more hovel
than home)
trash was transformed into treasure,
the discarded remains
from far too many yesterdays
plucked from obscurity
and proudly left
on display.

(for asterios matakos, 1917 – 2002)