The Painting

I saw a picture hanging
In the local gallery.
And I knew at once that this one
Was the perfect one for me.

’Twas a painting of the seashore,
And waves along the sand.
With gulls and rocks and clouded sky -
I thought that it was grand.

The water was a greenish blue
That sparkled in the light.
The soft white clouds across the sky
Were really quite a sight.

The sand was white and soft and clean
With shells tossed here and there.
The gulls were also pretty,
As they hung there in the air.

And so I asked the merchant
Who was sitting at the till;
"If I were to buy this painting
Just how much would be the bill?"

He then began relating
All the long harsh years it took,
How it had won some special prize -
Was published in a book.

And then he boldly told me
How much I'd have to pay.
And I quite unabashedly
Said there was just no way.

Although I do appreciate
That painting on the wall,
To ask of me such large a sum
Requires quite some gall.

Then I did walk along the beach
And found that I could see
A scene surpassing that old frame -
And it was all for free.