This is an oldie, but a goodie, and gets me about as close to being famous as I will probably ever be. I wrote this little poem in 1998, in honor of my grandfather, Luther “Bunk” Stringer’s passing, and it has since been all over the world via the Internet. You will find it on many web sites, and I get it in an email every year or so; usually from someone who doesn’t know I wrote it. Some of you have seen it on this blog before, and perhaps some have seen it other places. In any case, I hope you enjoy it.
Pennies from Heaven
I found a penny today
Just laying on the ground
But it’s not just a penny
This little coin I’ve found
.
Found pennies come from heaven
That’s what my Grandpa told me
He said, “Angels toss them down”
Oh, how I loved that story
.
He said when an angel misses you
They toss a penny down
Sometimes just to cheer you up
To make a smile out of a frown
.
So don’t pass by that penny
When you’re feeling blue
It may be a Penny from Heaven
That an Angel’s tossed to you
.
Copyright © 1998 C Mashburn
Sharing with the fine folks at dVerse Poets Pub Open Link Night ~ Week 33
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Marbles In My Pocket ~ The Official Blog of Charles L. Mashburn ~ Poems, Short Stories, and random thoughts from the author of "Be Still... and know that I am God" 
Sherry Mashburn said
It’s amazing how many times I find pennies when I’ve asked God for a sign . . . other times, not so much!
charlesmashburn said
I don’t find as many as I used to, but then, I don’t get out much any more.
markwindham said
Good stuff Charles.
charlesmashburn said
Thanks, Mark! I appreciate the visit and comment!
Daydreamertoo said
I saw a Powerpoint Presentation recently which had much the same message. Such a lovely write Charles and congratulations on it being seen around the world and, deservingly so!
charlesmashburn said
I’d be curious to see that presentation. Thank you very uch for the visit and nice comment!
brian miller said
seriously that is yours…i have read it before…wow man…you are def famous…smiles….and def means something to many or it would not be passed as much…
charlesmashburn said
Yes, it is, Brian. I wrote a short story in 1996 with the same name and story line. If you search it on the ‘net, you will find it on numerous web sites. Thanks for the visit and kind words. Very much appreciated!
Sherrie Theriault said
How wonderful! What a sweet delight to begin my day with!! Thank you for sharing!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Ms. Sherrie!
terri0729 said
Lovely, Charlie, simply put!! Truly quite a beautiful poem 🙂 Blessings, Terri
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Terri! Your visits and comments always bless me!
Kellie Elmore said
i adore that idea of pennies from heaven. this is so sweet. I could see it in a frame on my wall 😉 Would you consider allowing me to make an image for this? I would show you first of course.
xox
charlesmashburn said
You are welcome to do anything you wish with the poem, Kellie. I would be honored to know it hangs on a wall in your home.
Kellie Elmore said
thank you, charles. will get to work on something 🙂 if it turns out nicely, I’d like to make one for you as well. as a thank you.
charlesmashburn said
Wonderful! I would love that!
CC Champagne said
What a lovely story!!! But I wish the angles could keep up with the inflation at times… *smile*
charlesmashburn said
Ha! Yes, I occasionally find nickles, dimes and quarters, but not often. I’ve always been struck by the ideaa that a penny is no longer worth picking up, and that’s why I find so many. I’ve saved every penny I’ve found since writing this poem, and I have thousands. Might count them and examine them one of these days, just to see how many I’ve collected.
zongrik said
good job with the angels
cliffhanger
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Zongrik! Your visit and comment are much appreciated!
Victoria C. Slotto said
I’ve always enjoyed, and I guess believed, in these little signs from ones who’ve moved on. Glad you shared it, Charles.
charlesmashburn said
It is a comforting thought to me, for sure!
Thanks for the visit and nice comment, Victoria!
ed pilolla said
what a terrific poem, as well as story to remember your grandpa by. and what a gift to get it from someone as you do. it’s incredibly simple and elegant.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Ed! Your visit and comment are most appreciated!
elizena said
Nice one Charles and I think the angels really missed me, because as I cleaned today I found almost a dollar in pennies throughout the house. They immediately went into my change jar. LOL!
Hope you’ve had a blessed week. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Elizena! But, I think you should keep looking, and find enough to go get your bad tooth taken care of. I don’t like that you’re in pain and not feeling well!
elainedanforth said
So sweet, Charles.
This brought a smile to my face, and makes me wonder– what if it’s a dime? Do angels toss those down, too? (Greedy little one, aren’t I– getting a free dime and wanting it to be of angelic origin, to boot!) Found one yesterday while tending plants outside. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
My good friend and golfing buddy found a dime one day, and he was so excited! He said to me, “That’s like ten angels at once, right?”
Gld you enjoyed the poem, Elaine. Thanks for the visit and nice comment!
elainedanforth said
So I’m not the only one thinking along those lines. 🙂
charlesmashburn said
No ma’am! I think that too when I find a nickle, dime, or quarter. I don’t save anything but the pennies though. I have thousands of pennies I’ve found since writing the poem.
Cathy Munro Corredor said
Hi Charles, my name is Cathy. I found your poem on the internet a few years ago but it was written by “anonymous”. It inspired me to start making my Pennies From Heaven jewelry, where I put images and photographs on pennies (and other coins). I was initially considering “Wishing Well Jewelry”, “Trevi Collection Jewelry”, and some other names, but when I saw your poem I knew it was what I wanted to do because it lets me make something that is more than just plain jewelry. I hear the most incredible stories from people who feel the pennies or other coins they find are messages from their loved one who has passed! It has been awesome to be a part of putting photographs on coins and bless someone. One man made a bracelet to surprise his wife to honor their adult son who died. He even sent me some of the pennies his wife had collected. I just googled “who wrote the Pennies From Heaven poem” and was delighted to find you! I have your poem up in my booth at shows and as part of my jewelry listings. I hand it out on a card to everyone who buys from me. I need to find out what you want me to do since I don’t want to violate your copyrighted poem. If I can continue to use it I will definitely give you credit with a link to your blog, or whatever you want me to do. Well, just let me know what you think! Here is my website so you can see what I make: http://www.catbangles.artfire.com. Thanks! Cathy :0)
charlesmashburn said
Thank you for contacting me, Cathy! I answered you via email.
Shelleen Weeks said
Hello, Charles. I am moved to tears every time I read this poem. I make recycled jewelry from found items. After my Daddy died, I started finding pennies from him and made myself a Pennies from Heaven necklace. Other people started asking me to make necklaces for them with the pennies they have found, too. Every time I try to read your poem to someone, I cry! I finally had to print the poem out and let them read it for themselves. It is truly beautiful, and so many people are moved by it. Thus far, I have not distributed your poem at all – I point people to the internet instead. I am writing to ask permission to distribute a copy of the poem printed on a card. Or if you have some available for sale I would be interested in purchasing from you. Thank you, Shelleen
charlesmashburn said
Shelleene: Feel free to distribute the poem in any way you wish. I am honored and pleased to know so many have found comfort in it. I’ve never tried to make money off the poem, and doubt I ever will. It’s simply a gift to anyone who might enjoy it. It’s on hundreds of websites and blogs, and even appears in several books by other authors. I ask for nothing for the use of it. God bless.
Shelleen Weeks said
Thank you so much for your generosity! Bless you, too!
Talicha J. said
Wow great poem I can see why it’s so well loved!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
Talicha J. said
You’re welcome
kaykuala said
I used to find pennies which I thought not many may pick up. I pick them up because it’s a blessing. To ignore it means one is throwing away good blessings coming one’s way! Thanks for Sharing Charles!
Hank
charlesmashburn said
Thank you, Hank! I appreciate the visit!
Michele Jordan said
I just happened to come across this blog today. Which is weird, I just launched my new facebook pave Angel Pennies from Heaven, yestersay. I never knew who wrote this poem. I have been using it and and my page admin just ordered over 500 cards with the poem on it to attach a penny to it. You can see what I’m doing by visiting the website link. I hope its okay that I’m using it. I never thought I’d FIND the person who wrote it!
charlesmashburn said
It’s okay that your using it. I hope your using the correct title and aren’t using an altered version of the poem, though. I’ll check out what your doing when we get back home. We’re on a cruise right now, and the Internet is expensive!
Debra White-Anderson said
I have found a lot of pennies, I just keep them in a jar. I’m so happy that I know this.
charlesmashburn said
I’ve found a bunch, too! I’m glad you like the poem!