“Barter” (Prov.30:18-19) [Reflections On C Stapleton & PC Richman's Book Barter, N.Y.: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978 - Intro]

To this guy, it’s still “Getting stuff” –
“Free education there (though tough),
So practice it, start anywhere,
And soon your skills will surely bear –

The weight of your transaction-craft
(Though some at first will think you’re daft);
The Moore-ish lady on her site
Sees “Fellowship” as context right.

Who “wins” is us – humanity;
Com-merce – together (com) she sees,
As where we do what folks enjoy –
“Trade this for that, with skills employed”.

Of course, much later in this book,
I do recall he takes a look
At human side; but even there,
It’s “Merch” not “Com” as basis where –

He aims to end up – quite reverse
Of Eastern cultures – which is worse?
The East feels – people less than things
Is upside down – so their folks bring –

A healthy base in which trade’s done –
“Ease up my friend – let’s have some fun”;
And in the process, I suspect
It trickles into lifestyle – yet –

I’d have to say reverse is true –
The “Getting game”, which some folks do,
Has echoes from West’s ways of trade;
For com-merch is by cultures made.

Thanks Lord for this.

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