Jun 25, 2010

For the Shop


He wrapped them up carefully, neatly,
in expensive green silk.
Roses of rubies, lilies of pearl,
violets of amethyst: according to his taste,
his will, his vision of their beauty -- not as he saw them in nature or studied them.

He'll leave them in the safe,
examples of his bold, his skilful work.
Whenever a customer comes into the shop,
he brings out other things to sell -- first class ornaments:
bracelets, chains, necklaces, rings.

Constantine P. Cavafy 1913

2 comments:

  1. I had had a book of Cavafy's poems but haven't opened it yet. Will do soon.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please do! I think you will find many wonderful things in it.
    And thanks for stopping by! :-)

    ReplyDelete

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