On the door was a sign: 'Soul Store.'

Trepidatious, I entered to sit
on the Life Bench
with hundreds of others who
sought to return, or purchase,
buy or exchange
Souls they had been issued at birth.

One said 'Mine is defective
I cannot love.'

Another said 'there was mistake
in the delivery address;
a mix-up at the hospital,
my sister got the best Soul
and I was left with this.'

She raised her hand
to reveal a dark shriveled thing.

'That is why I do evil' she said.
a mistake at delivery.'

Another pointed out, 'I am 16
but the Soul I got is 62
and dying.'

'Mine, ' another said
'has a hole in it."

'I' a little girl said
'I have none
I didn't get any Soul at all.'

The counter woman
leaned over and asked for quiet
saying
'I will get to each and everyone
but if you cannot wait
talk among yourselves and do
your own exchanges.

"If your own soul is damaged
fall in love with someone
whose Soul still sings and large enough
to heal yours.'

'If your Soul is afraid of love
spy one which is not;
one which is brave.'

There was this general buzz
a voice said 'but we are all rejects
how can we become Whole Souls
while each of us has a defect? '

'If not two' the counter lady said
'then three, get together
apply a soul patch..

"Among you all
one and one make three
that is how Souls work."

You always get more out
than you put in
if you just believe.'

There began the Souling
and nary a one after it all
needed anything new,
or needed a soul exchange
because no one
came into this world
with a perfect soul;
that is why we all
get born
and most of us have
Family and friends
to provide the rest'

making a trip to the soul store
not necessary.