THE AUCTION GAME

by renee lam

She sat her chair down in a row
And scanned the merchandise.
Oak furniture, a pile of books,
The jewelry looked quite nice.

And then her eyes were cast upon
The treasure of her dreams
Could it be? Was it real?
An original it seems!

He registered and looked around.
He wandered every row.
He didn't want to miss a deal,
He previewed very slow.

And when he saw it standing there
His heart began to whiz.
He'd searched for years. He wanted it.
Today it would be his.

She saw him staring at her prize.
She knew he couldn't know.
He watched her touch it as she passed.
Was this his bidding foe?

"What poor taste," she coyly sighed,
"Who'd want to own that thing?"
"Oh, it's awful," he grinned back,
"And isn't that a ding?"

She took her seat with confidence
And waited patiently.
He sipped his coffee, so at ease,
Today it was to be.

They held their breath when it was placed
Upon the auction stand.
The bidding started very low,
He calmly raised his hand.

She waited just the slightest bit
Before she raised his bid.
He answered back with lightning speed
His choice no longer hid.

Back and forth and forth and back
The bidding it did soar.
Till finally she shook her head,
"I can't. It's his. No more."

He beamed with pride, so relieved,
For the bid had been his last.
Then quietly a hand went up
The final bid was cast.

He turned with shock. She sadly stared.
They saw from where it came.
How had they missed the winning player
In this auction game?

Sometimes the thrill is in the hunt,
And so with luck and fate,
They'll return to search once more
And patiently they'll wait.