Bargains..

Innumerable bidders

for my virginity

Not that I was beautiful

No... just vulnerable.

Syrupy promises

poisoned my ears

And there were gifts to incite greed

Sparkling gems, rubies,

rare stones

paved the path I treaded.

None offered love

I wasn’t a girl one could take home

They averted their eyes in daylight

Eyes that worshiped me

At night.

I bargained hard

Not really...

My dreams I traded-

for the crisp currency

for a gold chain

for some beautiful crimson cloth

and

a white shroud for my father..