Foxybenmoxy beat me out again, maybe

a decorator or someone

with deep pockets, who bids huge sums

for Afghan, Turkoman, and Persian rugs

like those I bought cheap in September.

 

Kahuipu and I are email buddies,

checking, comparing, outbidding each other.

With a fast browser, he’ll snipe

the last second and burn competition.

 

Last week, I bid up a Shiraz

(let others pay dearly),

and made a few bucks for the seller.

Doesn’t matter, Kahuipu emails me,

when he wins it. I like the rug,

besides salt bags are still a bargain.

 

Thanks for the tip, but I’ve run out

of room for the rugs I own.

Like where would I put a salt bag?

 

Why not join Goaugie, Mulletspeak,

Dopeywankanooby, Financy, Kahuipu,

and me? Bid on a prayer rug

(one you don’t need),

because nothing beats the rush

when Congratulations hits the screen.

 

 

From Detours & Diversions (Main Street Press, 2011).

This poem first appeared in Collecting Life: Poets on Objects Known and Imagined (3: A Taos Press, 2011).

Used here with the author’s permission.