The Merchant's Pearl, by Neil Creighton

The Merchant's Pearl, by Alfredo Valenzuela Puelma (Chile). 1884.

The Merchant’s Pearl

Gentlemen, our last item is truly special.
I unveil magnificence.
Note the perfect plumpness of the breasts,
the silken smoothness of the thighs,
the fineness of the skin,
the thickness of the hair,
the untarnished youth.
You have been blessed with money.
Your power has brought you rare privilege.
Many dream of such honour.
I see your eyes feasting.
Let your imaginations feast too.
This can be yours to buy, to possess, to enjoy.
There are no obligations attached.
Keep it for as long as you like.
Do with it as you will.
All will envy you, consider you blessed.
Now, gentlemen, who will start?
Who makes the first bid?

Neil Creighton

This poem was written in response to the ekphrastic sex and art challenge for Valentine's Day.

Neil Creighton is an Australian poet with a passion for social justice and a love of the natural world. Recent publications include Poetry Quarterly, Silver Birch Press, Praxis Online, South Florida Poetry Journal, and Verse-Virtual, where he is a contributing editor. His poetry blog is windofflowers.blogspot.com.au.