Cheap

A penny for her trouble, kisses for her pain.
She hides in the gutters with the rain.
(There was a time when she cost a dime—
Now your two cents is enough to cost her years).

It’s been so very long since she let herself feel.
(Does this make it more or less real?)
Tarnished in this game, she flips again:
Heads you win, tails she loses.

Maybe today can see past her face
(If mercy’s a lie, then, so is grace.)
To see you smile, she sold you her soul.
You thought it was a million, but it only cost that much.

Expensive

A penny for his trouble, kisses for his pain
The gentleman he was melts in the rain.
(He used to try not to make her cry--
Her anyway-tears cost him the attempt.)

It’s been so very long since he lost his heart.
(Was it his fault entirely or just in part?)
Bankrupt in this game, he withdraws again:
Still pulling zeroes and writing blanks.

Maybe tomorrow will remake the man
(be it change or heart or slight of hand).
To get himself back he’d sell you his soul.
He thought she was a million, but she only cost that much.