By Pavel Chichikov
Some we spoke to after said they knew
Where to find the fisherman – but how?
Directions were misleading and a few
Said they knew but didn't want to know
‘Be careful, very careful,' many said,
‘He's a famished gardener – that fiend –
And those who start by staying as a guest
End up planted – permanent, we mean'
So we came at last to one small street
That seemed in peace apart from all the trouble –
And then an entrance filled with light, a sweet
Odor as of flowers filled the air
A man appeared, the one we'd seen before
Astride the gelding in the wood. He said
‘This is my doorway though it has no door –
Please come with me, my guests, you are invited.'
His face was kind, less solemn than before
But wore a stiff expression of some pain
That passed across his features frequently –
And on his chest the spreading of a stain
‘My house is yours.' He showed us through the rooms.
Incongruous the suffering on his face –
The light of peace about him, and perfumes.
He limped, and hesitated in his pace
‘You must forgive me friends, if I can help
I will, but I am less well than I was.'
‘My sister Flora,' Robin told him, ‘please
Find her.' And he went down on his knees.
‘No, get up my child, you must not beg
I want to help you, but you must forbear –
Your suffering pleads for you, but my leg
Is painful – the whole world is full of care
And many are the lost, and still to come
Is grief in plenty, sorrow and despair
But I have something marvelous to show you
In the room below – we'll use a stair
The Shoulder of the Sun Part Twenty will be featured Tuesday.
To visit Pavel Chichikov's website click *here*
