For the Shop
He wrapped them carefully, tidily
in green priceless silk.
Roses of rubies, lilies of pearls, violets
of amethyst. He values them as evidence
of his desire, his vision, not as he saw them
in nature and studied them. He will leave them in the safe,
examples of his courageous and skillful work.
When a customer comes into the store,
he takes from their cases other things to sell—superb jewels—
bracelets, chains, necklaces, and rings.
Manolis Aligizakis 