The Salesman and the Fool

Humor me, sit down and chat for awhile
Listen to my odd little tales
Like for instance, have you ever sold anything?
Something like your soul?
And if you did, what did you do it for?
Money, fame, power?
But me, I did it for the one that I would never have
Pale skin and flaming red hair
But to her I was utterly invisible
She consumed all my days and all my nights
My thoughts and dreams
I was haunted by her absence

Then one day a man stood on my porch
In a dark tailored suit and slimy grin
I knew him for a salesman
He told me dealt in odd sales and such
And was there anything I would fancy
I said there was no gadget or trinket
He said surely there must be something I desire
Oh but there is, but she is not for sale
Don’t be sure, he said, all things have a price
What might be the price for this wonderful gift?
A twinkle filled his eye and he gave a wink
The price, my poor man, is merely your soul

Back in my youth, I had no need for it
To me it was just like another penny spent
So I agreed to pay his price
Then she came to me that very night
But not pretty and made up with desire
But ragged, bloody and at Death’s door
She said help me, dear sir, I’m hurt so
I held her in my arms until she was cold
Heart stricken and realized I knew not her name
But she came to me just The Man had said
The Man, I knew then, was the Devil
And for this tragedy I sold my soul