Simple Simon listens to the Pieman's Story

"Once I knew everything," said the gaunt old man.

"Everything."

"You could show up with a quizzical look
and I would hand you several tasty answers
before the question mark ever left your puzzled mouth.
Good, self-assured days those were,
full of clever answers baked in my cast-iron stove.

I peddled my answers on street corners
and gave away what I couldn't sell."