A LOST COIN by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

It lies shimmering on the pavement 

like a drop of molten lead.

Pedestrians

blind like bats in the sunshine 

flit past.

An urchin

rummaging for cigarette stubs 

scoops it up, 

and rushes to a Greek café -

bread for life? 

sweet for joy? -

a chocolate slab

of Happiness

to be swallowed in a gulp

into an empty tummy,

and come out as sweet nothingness

in an alley toilet.