Sunday, January 12, 2020

Holy Land Pilgrimage--2006


The Marketplace, Jerusalem...


Photo credits: 123rf.com



IN THE MARKETPLACE
Israel Pilgrimage—2006

Crowds, shouts, squabbles
push, shove
Exotic fragrances
of cinnamon, cumin and coriander
waft in the air
Fringed cashmere shawls
in fuchsia, turquoise and black
hang from posts
and rustle in the breeze
Beads, silver Stars of David
olivewood carvings
Here and there
hawking and the banter
of bargaining
Here and there a sign
to mark a holy place

One vendor
catches my glance
smiles and teases:

I don’t care—
Even if you don’t buy
I still love you

A young man
picks the pocket
of an old man
in our group
Others subdue him
pin him to a wall—
get the wallet back
The fellow runs off
and we continue
on our way

Some of us
would like to stop
to browse and bargain
and shop awhile, but
we have a schedule to keep
and it’s getting late

Maude Carolan Pych

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