Auction Poem by Paul Reed

Round and round they walk,
Unmolested as yet by life,
Not knowing where they are
Or where they are to go to;

Associations made, soon to be broken
In favour of brand new ones
Unsolicited,
Who may be as tender
Or who may be harsh;

Around the ring the bidders shuttle
Then stand stock still,
Endlessly consulting catalogues,
Now and then, one waves
To change a life;

The auctioneer gestures
In his practised dance
With arms waving and pointing,
Eliciting and persuading,
And with gavel drop
Ends the misery of each uncertainty;

Another door opens
And in steps another
Who, wild in nervousness
And unfulfilled potential,
Lunges and wheels
Not wanting to be looked at,
Not wanting to be sold;

And, amongst all the calculations
Of future worth and glory,
Another one is bought
But this time for love.