I'd never been to an auction

so I gave it a whirl.

After examining the merchandise

I bid on a pearl.

I thought I had it,

but I was outbid by a dame.

I countered her offer,

and she did the same.

I bid once more,

and the pearl was mine.

She scowled at me.

But I didn't mind.

She must have felt pretty guilty

because she asked me to tea.

And to my delight,

I happily agreed.

We concluded our date

with a friendly embrace.

But when I reached for the pearl in my pocket,

there wasn't a trace.

Copyright © 2024 by Michael DeFrancesco