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