New House
He wanted, he said, to build a house
far away from the city hustle and
the bustle of modern life, a house to
uphold stature, forbearance, patience
of the contractor, the last house he’d
built before his time came when he’d
move to his permanent residence, but
this house, he wanted it to be airy and
sunny, comfortable, and kind like its
owner and after he finished building it
he called his pals, walked the grounds,
inspected all the details outside and
inside the house too when
the owner revealed he only regretted
that he never thought to include
in the plans a cistern into which he’d
collect the rainwater for his flowers
which he didn’t like to leave thirsty
when the time came for his last farewell
and you said,
he too followed the steps of incidentals
who come and pass and leave nothing
behind while they hope for a reward
in the lustrous luxury of the afterlife
Manolis Aligizakis 