So many things in the world are free

And yet, some would choose to be

Liable for the ongoing cost of love

But the fact is, the price is paid above



For when it's over, one looks back

And assesses the cost in like stacks

Attempting to find the common thread

Then seeing it in terms of the bread



Which may or may not be put on table

Or other similar things made available

They may be simple as Stone's tickets

Or vegetables aplenty to ward off rickets



Or they might be more considerable sums

Which register in terms to make you numb

Rebuilding houses to adapt to teenagers

Giving away pcs to those who aren't painless



It is so very difficult to assess realness of love

When it all has a price on it over and above

The cost of the passion itself in terms of fire

Which rages on until one gets stuck in mire



And then it becomes time to end what was

In order to go on and find the one real toss

Which leads through a door without a price

A place so desirable, as it'd be so darn nice ...



- Tristram



Christopher W. Thomas

9:50am Sat. Jan. 10th, 98