Pawn

In chess, most common element
but weakest, too, it nonetheless
can win the game for you.
Hostages tossed back and forth,
replaceable, expendable
members of unfolding drama.
Used as a verb, the saddest one
of all, desperate grasp for money.
Hand the items over, cash
and out the door. All about the
now, the need, no time for
thinking through, pawning
pieces of their hearts, burning
bridges as they go. They'll
get the money, sure, they'll
get it back before the contract's
due and someone else can
cash in on their lack of care
and character. Bargain found,
profit made, no regrets.
They're pawns themselves,
exchanging peace, respect,
the truth and doing right,
to buy a box of cigarettes.
I bought a jacket once, and
never wondered if its
owner died or, losing love,
cried as she left the shop,
crisp dollars in her pocket
to replace the warmth she'd
known before. Community
service, loans provided
without credit scores or
background checks. I looked
around and found a tiny bag
of stolen memories sitting on
the pawn shop's shelf.
I won't return. I can't afford
the bitter bargains any longer.


(c) Ellen Gillette, 2013