something for nothing

something for nothing
by jeff shepard
hey mister,
wanna buy a rock?
a little girl,
maybe eight years old,
her table setup
her mother nearby
and a sign,
10 cent rocks
25 cent rocks
50 cent rocks
i bought a 50 cent rock,
tipped her 25 cents.
what kind of parent
teaches their kid
this kind of shit?
what kind of man
gives a little girl
something for nothing?