I was but a wandering merchant once
Selling emotions in jars, a penny for a dose
I met a youngster beneath a rock, hiding
Scuttling around in darkness like a creature of chitin

"I'm just a merchant passing by," I said
She halted and watched me shyly, keeping down her head.
"Something your heart desires?" I laid out my merchandise.
"Some pride, if you don't mind, name your price."

"Unique request, little lady.
But pride comes in various colours
Would you like it in ruby
The commonest in human matters
The kind which takes one above correction
Closes one's ears to external objection
It takes one up a marvelous high
Lets one see little humans from above, nowhere nigh
Who was once a boy now thinks he is a man
Meets his own expectations at his own demand
Mother feels a loss, but brushes it off
That's the road all of them trudge; a maze
Later coming back after taking the world on
To precious mom, the comfort of her embrace.

. . .

To be continued (the colours of pride)

© 2023 by ravenizcul