Hector The Collector

Hector the

Collected bits of string,

Collected dolls with broken

And rusty bells that would not ring.

Bent-up nails and ice-cream sticks,

Twists of wires, worn-out tires,

Paper bags and broken bricks.

Old chipped vases, half shoelaces,

Gatlin' guns that wouldn't shoot,

Leaky boasts that wouldn't

And stopped-up horns that wouldn't toot.

Butter knives that had no handles,

Copper keys that fit no

Rings that were too small for fingers,

Dried-up leaves and patched-up socks.

Worn-out belts that had no buckles,'Lectric trains that had no tracks,

Airplane models, broken bottles,

Three-legged chairs and cups with cracks.

Hector the

Loved these things with all his soul--Loved them more then shining diamonds,

Loved them more then glistenin' gold.

Hector called to all the people,"Come and share my treasure trunk!"And all the silly sightless

Came and looked ... and called it junk.