****
'Come and See'
the sign said
THAT
and nothing more
not even an exclamation point
just three simple words nailed to a board
on a dead-end road in the middle of nowhere
hung by a quiet little man in shabby clothes
and worn-out slippers,
selling strips of his soul for a penny—
and not a penny more,
a priceless bargain,
at a bargain price
(if truth be told).
A tiny wooden table
and a creaky old chair,
had this quiet little man,
with the quiet little stare
where he sat
A
L
O
N
E
day after day,
year after year—
waiting in sun, snow, and rain,
through joy, sorrow, and pain,
longing for someone,
anyone
would do,
who might
Come and See
a deeper shade of True.
Yet no one did Come,
and no one did See,
for no one had a care
about this quiet little man,
with the quiet little stare,
selling strips of his soul for a penny—
now a penny a pair,
until at length,
he ran out of strength,
and stooped weary and low,
with so little to show—
if only someone could
Come and See,
that would be enough
to find bliss and harmony,
so he waited patiently,
but it didn't really matter
no one ever came,
and no one ever saw,
it was forever and ever the same,
THE SAME! THE SAME!
forever and ever the same
the same the same the same
and
many still say,
down to this very day,
that he's still there—
W
A
I
T
I
N
G
this quiet little man,
with the quiet little stare.
****
___
PDW
December 2024
Dry Grove, Il