wondering why i didn’t buy

the Venetian glass chandelier

that so gave me awe and raw desire

first, with failing ears,

i did not hear the offer to include

my long-stemmed glasses free

second, i could not get three

life-long concern always to treat

my three kids as close to equally

as humanly possible, how could i

have only one such treasure

in my home that might cause hurt

between them? their love for each other

is more valuable to me than all

the ‘boughten’ things I could

ever purchase