Like a carny talker, he beckoned
In his best ‘come hither and buy’ voice
Extolling all of its wonder and beauty
Conveniently omitting the final price
Expertly, he pointed out the glitter
Cajoling you with its shine
Drawing you closer with its sparkle
His words dripping with charm
How many others have gone before
Taken in by his beguiling tone
Entering into his great unknown
Just beyond his bally stand
“Friend,” he says, matter of factly
How quickly our relationship moved
To this elevated place of trust
“I wouldn’t steer ya wrong”
How diminutive and affordable
The price must appear
In the consequential light
Of this colossal gain
The transaction is made
Long before payment is revealed
The signature is drying
While your soul still thinks
It has time to decide
What once shined as gold
Glimmering in the light
Now holds the dross
And the weight of iron
Around your mind
Around your heart
Around your soul
Around your freedom
He grins a practiced flash of teeth
Polished by the souls before you
His hand extended and a deal is made
You can’t quite remember what you paid
Something is missing
Everything feels weightier somehow
Walking away, it rings in your ears
“Who’s next? Step right up”
©Ron Simpson Jr.
June 10, 2025
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