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An Auction of Global Size
I had financially fallen on very difficult times,
and had to sell many of my valued treasures,
including twenty rolls of uncirculated dimes.
To get the best bids, I'd taken great measures.
Most valuable was a glass sculpture of Earth,
but only be sold without taking it apart.
There had never been an estimate of its worth
and letting it go at auction was breaking my heart.
I had it very clearly stated in the contract deal
that once the gavel struck, it belonged to the buyer.
The status of my insurer signed it with his seal,
and that information was revealed in an auction flyer.
The bidding began and only one paddle was raised.
Four thousand dollars was insulting for this artwork,
although the Baccarat sculpture was not appraised.
I looked pleadingly at the patient auctioneer, Kirk.
What a calamity if I didn't receive a larger price.
My hopes suddenly began to plummet to a new low
I had no belongings left to sell, nothing to sacrifice.
I didn't know where to turn after this financial blow.
Then, a phone bid came in at ten thousand pounds
"Going once, twice.... SOLD! " Kirk had done his job.
But the buyer backed out. I asked, "On what grounds?"
They sent me to an office where I met a guy named Bob.
He said the bidder hadn't read all the terms of shipping
and that he was afraid the fragile sculpture would shatter.
Legally, the sale was binding. The buyer must be tripping
if he thought I'd let him out of the purchase, it didn't matter.
A deal was a deal, and he was now the brand-new owner
of A Baccarat global sculpture that weighed nearly a ton.
He didn't read the fine print, and now he was a groaner.
Finding a way to move that gigantic piece that he'd won.
Later that day, I received a cashier's check for the money.
The eccentric buyer wanted it for his wife, and to be gifted
to her on her next birthday. Turned out, he thought it funny
and would install it in their greenhouse if they got it lifted.
Copyright ©
Lin Lane
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