Surety

'Water tower' remodel sealed with handshake and verbal promise.

Surety

9/23/10

I suppose the bad apple

spoils bunch in business world

where unscrupulous contractor reflects poorly

on tradesmen who are honest,

so hard estimates become paramount

made free by larger companies

the little guy suffers competition

less able to afford research

though obligated to give 'quote'

as bottom line hiring rationale,

forget character, integrity, it's money

that rules roost in commerce

where trusted handshake, spoken word,

sealing a mutually beneficial deal

in golden days of community

is seen as foolish, risky,

no matter history of friendship,

now fearful fathers teach daughters

to forfeit openness for surety.