One day an artist comes to the house
to paint flowers
on an old glass display case
he asks me to help
and I do
with delight
unafraid to be caught shading roses
with the magic
of a brush
When he is finished he gives me a doubloon
unaware that slaves are gambling out in the sheds
I accept
Soon she comes, so ferocious, such strange hands,
a wild search
soon she finds the doubloon,
sorrowful payment
for roses
fragrant flowers
stench of doom