the fare

there is a cost

we must

pay.

sometimes small change,

a dollar or two,

or a large check

written in the end.

but we always pay

the price, the toll.

the fare, the entry

fee of

nearly everyone we meet

that stays.

we feed coins into

the meter.

we buy flowers,

we buy chocolates, 

gifts

from the heart.

we slip payment into

an envelope

and drop it in the box.