Her words
were deep
like still water
that remembers storms.

My replies
were deeper,
echoes carved
from silence and soul.

She whispered,
“I wish I could buy you.”
And I,
without hesitation,
said,
“You can.”

She paused,
eyes holding the question,
“And what would your price be?”

I looked away,
toward the night sky
that never belonged to anyone,
and answered,
“My freedom!”