the owner of a corner grocery store

he build confidence in the city
in his small way - trusting the people
letting them touch and choose
fresh vegetables and fruits

since he opened the corner grocery store
many years passed, and dust sat
on the shelves; people almost forgot
that he was the first to show such trust

then the storm came over his white head
it took off the roof, but left the walls up
to stand witness to its passage, not let us forget.
but we learned to accept.

and then he decided, and he quietly went
after the stormed passed
and we had learned to accept
what happened happened and what is left is to stand.

the flood washed away many things
and many paths of the past did not last
but he has left his mark
on the heart of the city

even though we know very well that he's gone
and they teared down the walls of the grocery store
there is still a fresh smell in that corner
and one wonders, perhaps he's still there