One day back in the USofA
Before I took my trip in May
I was getting rid of lots of things
And needing cheap alternatives
So I was walking through the army
Of salvation on a Wednesday
20% off Wednesday
And I came across a gumball machine
Metal antique on a stand
Candy apple red and classic black
A coin machine just like old days
Real and working and everything
I took note that it was only $12 bucks
It was not on my agenda
Later, after I returned
From Europe two months later
I was getting rid of everything then
Selling all of value
One day I dropped off stuff
At the classy consignment shop downtown
I saw the same gumball machine
For sale at $80
Someone thought so cleverly
buy it cheap and make a buck
If I wasn’t busy leaving maybe I’d done the same thing
But it made me stop and think
It is not lost on me
The place where stuff I accumulated
Used to be
I tried to fill the void inside
I tried to fill the holes
I tried to make it a model home
All decorated and warm
I tried to make it a model family
Tried to create something from nothing
Making something where nothing ever was
All the material things in the world
Could never take the place of love
I’m left now with no possessions to my name
I don’t own a key to anything
The most valuable thing I’ve ever had
Is my self esteem and confidence
I paid the highest price for that