Jake's Flea Market

In medieval and early modern Europe it was a norm for a bride’s family to offer a dowry for a prospective Groom--- or for the church--- to take on the care and keep of a daughter. The dowry could comprise as little as a pot from a poor family, to estates from a wealth family. Marriages, especially among the nobility, were often political arrangements.

viii

before her father thinks to pen a letter

proposes to sell nora’s dowry to
say leopold   archduke of austria

recommends it as a price
for a share in leopold’s name   his titles   his pedigree
in his wealth   he has wealth

write a letter   
offer to purchase her dowry before it’s sold

sell your good name   your lineage   your education
that’s all you possess

give the envelope along
with a graduated brother who’ll
walk to the low countries with himself 
to sell to a church in a town
or to a chapel in a village and 
so purchase a pulpit

i’m afraid you’ll receive no reply