Dingy green metal

Flecks of paint flaking off like dandruff

Corners set in stagnant water,

Leechy muck in the slimerot of the shadows

Little door slides open with a screech

to unleash putrid air of palpable decay

But stashed inside are

shiny red berries

scattered like rubies

Smell of sweet citrus

and bright stoplight peppers

Bananas bundled up like cash,

straight-up, no counterfeits

Only a few are turning to mush

Hidden in this fetid vessel

I came to you with gloves and a flashlight,

darting eyes and pepper spray

But I have left with secret treasure