Saturday's Goods

Well I've never bought a garage, but my searching never fails

To provide me with some novelties, at all those garage sales;

And I don't think I'd be interested to own a pachyderm;

But White Elephant retailing's how to end a school's third term.

I've a china cabinet (from a second hand store) filled with wares:

China animals in jungle grouping, farmyard. I've got shares

In the leftovers of households who, on one promoted date,

Will have opened up their front yards on a Saturday at eight.

I've got jackets you can't find in any modern fashion store,
And a book collection, gathered from what others read before.

I must feel no shame in willingness to treasure someone's trash,

When the value of their hand-me-outs exceeds the parting cash.

If you saw my rooms, you'd never tell which fine upmarket brand

Of equipment came with shop receipts, and which was second hand.

But the stuff that I end up with's really only half the buzz.

It's the driving 'round and finding it, that drives, as driving does.

There are friendly looks from people, who've enjoyed the goods they sell.

Now they'll pass it on, just glad that you can use their things as well.

It's a chance to meet the locals, just before they relocate,

Or perhaps it's how you'll find an old elusive china plate.