Unspendable Money

I came across a pile of money
on the side of the street.
No one else seemed to notice
it, so I grabbed a few handfuls.

My pockets heavy, I felt rich
and freshly giddy. Despite
the weight, I skipped home.

While I lie in bed that night,
it occurred to me it would only hurt
to tell anyone about my lovely
little treasure, so I held it close.

In the morning, I biked to the corner
of Heart and Stone, ready
to part with a bit of my currency
for a little in return.

“This money is no good here,”
they said to me. Shop after shop,
I was denied.

“Go to Canada, I hear they accept
it there,” an old woman told me.
“It’s used in England,” another said.
“And Japan!” “And Turkey!”
“I know they take it in France.”

But it all meant nothing to me.
I only ever wanted to spend it
here.