Here we are,
facing off
in The Great Exchange.
A hallowed place,
where you sell me yours,
and I’m trying
to do the same.
The idea,
or at least in practice,
should be
that we both come out ahead.
You have for me
what I need,
and I have
what you require.
I give to you,
you give to me,
freely,
and we both come away
better for the exchange.
But,
here’s the thing;
one of us isn’t honest.
Maybe it’s me,
because I have been burned before.
So, I won’t enter into this
to trust you;
I’m always looking for the rub,
even if genuine.
I might even harbor
thoughts of revenge,
because of past trauma.
Maybe I take it out on you,
during our exchange.
Now you know how I feel,
and both of us are poisoned.
Killing each other.
Infected carriers.
Maybe you’re the kind
who gets a little rise
from hurting other people.
Maybe you take until
the other has nothing left to give.
It might make you feel,
like you’re a great negotiator.
When the person you’re dealing with
is laying dead;
you’ve won.
Every so often,
we run into
parasites and vampires.
More often these days,
it’s because one of us
has been abused.
Have a little care
for who you are
in these exchanges.
It’s how we build the world;
you build me,
and I make you.
HG – 2020
