Monday, May 17, 2010

The sale and the sold

Sunday came too early, but we woke and poured coffee. The car arrived and in it we packed all our unwanted belongings. Under the morning shade we set a goal: five dollars—each.

Over the brick ground went curtains never put up in apartments, ones left in boxes near rods bought but not bothered with. On top those books never read, denim we once fit into, gifts discarded.

The shade lifted and as the sun hit the streets so did the footsteps of strangers. One by one our old purchases became items with new owners. Offers to barter were handed off from one seller to another; we shrugged shoulders and conceded to low-ballers.

Friends wandered in and out, were elected for beer runs, asked for change, handed donations. The BBQ was pulled out, lit up, filled with burgers. A case cracked and money split, we cut our losses.

Into boxes on the street sent the picked-over and left behind: our silent offer. Went home sunburned, with cash in the front pocket.

There goes the stuff, captain
Sarongs, sunglasses, selling
Take some, leave some; 25c or free
New items, old friends
Rabbit fur, workout gear
Blonds and bubbles
Go ahead: take it

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