Merchant Memories Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

He was a well known merchant
who dealt in cloth and spice
fine silks and fragrant curries
were traded for great price

His friends and loves were many
his life a paradise
until one night while drinking
he lost it all to dice

He wanders through the alleys
his garments crawl with lice
he begs for alms and handouts
for meager bowls of rice

He shuts his eyes to sunlight
ignoring rats and mice
and visions of past glory
must finally suffice

He was a well known merchant
who dealt in cloth and spice
fine silks and fragrant curries
were traded for great price.