The Art Dealer

I should have known
I mean really, here's the man
who spends his life
telling other people
what they're worth.

Literally.
Dollars.
Cents.
Euro, Yen, whatever
a price for every one-
what will you pay?
Everything can be bought and sold, you know

I sat.
I listened rapturously
I drank the red wine you put in front of me
and I bought it

Batted my eyes as you talked about Hong-Kong
and giggled shyly as you comment
on my delicate manner, eating tiger prawns.
Why does no one take such care like that
these days? he asks, a faded London-lilt

I feel like a fairy princess
and am already disgusted with myself
for reasons I cannot name,
but smoking one of your cigarettes,
you know, the ones from Nairobi?
Oh you've never been?
Well here, let me light you up, he says.

and I do.

In your hotel room later,
I give you my best offer
you give a twist to an empty left-hand finger
you should keep your valuables closer, I say
after all, with the price of things
ah yes, the price of everything, he says
which you know well,
you then mumble something about Renoir
and antique watches