Message in a Crushed Soda Can

I’m going to throw that can in the lake

In the town I tried to live

I know the can will sink

It doesn’t matter

You’ll still see the message

It’s not fit for a bottle

Or to coast the endless blue

It’s not meant to be found by anyone but you

I made sure to crush it before I threw it

A rebellious cause

The water will seep like tears

To make the pen marks bleed

I hope when you read the words

You ignore the dismal presentation

It’s the message I want you to receive

Through rust

Through soaked and weathered paper

My words still stand

Etch them in your mind

What I found

What you gave me

It’s simply nonnegotiable

It’s the most valuable gift

They could search that lake forever

In a place I could never live

But they’ll never find

What I did

They’ll never understand

The lesson in a crushed soda can

They’ll never understand

The words I’ve written for you