Auction

Auction

The faceless ones are chittering in their fancy suits
As they sip sparkling wine—don’t they know that dulls their wits?
My throat is burning, vocal cords worn from the constant calling
I stand up on the stage, one hand over my heart
I don’t belong here
They are laughing, laughing, laughing, as they wait for the sale
Devils? No, I don’t think so, just people
Who have things not meant for them, like
Power or money or approval that they are ready to exchange
For segments ripped straight from my soul
I know the currency well

Item 1: a porcelain mask, cracked, faded paint flaking
Antique, poor condition, free of cost (but not of price)
I was born different, and different isn’t bad
But it’s something to cage, to warp to society’s whims
I don’t know how old I was when someone
Placed the mask on my butterfly nightstand
I traced the shape of its painted face, entranced
Tied it to my head and melded it to my skin
But I think maybe I’ll take it off and see in the mirror
If there’s anything left of the corpse underneath

Item 2: a picture book, small bite mark in the corner
Used, fair condition, dirt cheap
When I was little, I devoured books
And my house surely was a wonderful feast
Books littered the table, the shelves, the chairs, the car
There were far too many to taste, but still I tried
And even though I am not certain what is left to write
I am a person of words and stories
A girl who travels through pages to far off worlds

Item 3: a mahogany piano, residual sticker glue on the keys
Used, good condition, expensive
The piano sat in my living room, a beacon
It drew me near with its discordant melodies
A three-year-old slamming at stuck keys with pudgy fingers
Music swirled around my life, pervading all
Carrying melodies from both far and near
When I was five, I sat perched at my desk
Scribbling shaky tunes onto staff paper
With a fiery passion that fills me even now when I write

Item 4: an idea, shining, powerful
New, mint condition, priceless
It sparkles, like ideas are wont to do
Oh, how I love to leap from stepping stones
Across a sea of darkness, over a deep abyss of despair
I traverse the web of knowledge and light an orb
And place my discovery there to banish the shadows
I have always been vaulting across canyons, exploring
Taking a leap of faith in reason and hoping it will carry me
But every so often I look down and realize—
I am afraid of heights

Approval, from that gentleman over there, will you give me
Respect, raising the stakes, alright will you give me
Knowledge, have we got a offer of
Education, have we got a higher bidder
Fulfillment, going once, going, wait, no, we’ve got
Peace, and
Justice, and
Hope
Going once, going twice
(The gavel bangs)
Sold!