Barter

Barter

Coming to the table
With a less than perfect hand
Somehow seems less stable
Despite how well you planned

In laying out your stall right
The finest wares on show
Goods shiny, laid out, all bright
Little would they know

That a scratch beneath the surface
Beneath the gilded leaves
With silver plate in surplus,
and golden heart in sleeve

Its mettle tested tender
Conducted with such care
Received, conveyed to sender
With wins for those who dare

To put their metal out there
Get tested with the rest
To make a trade so unfair
With wares flawed at their best

For all our imperfections
We hope they find a home
In tune with predilections
In harmony we're shown

A future with our flaws fixed
A present we can dream
A past with doubts laid out, tricked
Tense, unspent, it seems

We always try to sell wares
Ignorant to those
The customers who barter theirs
Every time they chose

Every time they choose your stall
Their currency is flawed
Still they give their best, their all
Some goods can't be ignored

Still, be cautious as you go
Be kind with others wares
Always put your best on show
… just know that they've got theirs