Exchange Rate

Pay for my love, or

I can offer you a loan with no interest.

I'll give you my time - hours, years of it.

.

That must be worth something

.

I thread my fingers together,

snaked into stability through a tremulous grip.

My life lines meet at a chiral center - self mockery.

.

Holding onto others too tightly has only

chipped my nails and chapped my palms,

so instead I hold myself, still.

.

This must be worth something

.

Time comes again to check on repayment, with patience.

I eye my watch, but it has stopped.

I open my pockets, but they remain empty.

.

Why can't it be worth something