The Oldest Trade (1997)

The trade be the oldest, they say,
By the street side, enticing,
promising, little maybe, but enough.

Bargaining in subtle ways,
Presents or gentle chatter,
never to hurt, never the truth.

The clock is set,
And the alarm shall ring,
Heed it not
But the sudden awakening,
Shall ache the head.

The same customer,
The same way,
The same time?
Maybe yes, maybe not,
Expectations nought.
But competition leaves
nagging Solitude…

Treasures in the attic-
affection (they said),
friendship-
That be the name of the trade…