Of Callous Hands

The merchant stepped of his vessel,
Talisman in hand,
With no intention of luck
Except for luck in love.

A dark haired beauty
With sapphire eyes,
He only dreamed to touch.
Her rosy cheeks
And calloused hands
Sent him thousands of miles away
Marooned on his island
Of stars and daydreams.

He had been told,
“It’s just a phase,
It will come then pass."
But her fragrant hair,
Like raspberry and pears
Always brought him back.

The merchant stepped off his vessel,
Talisman in hand.
Across the way
Her radiance shined
Ravaging through the air.
Her daring smile
And olive skin
Sent images of a future bride.

With a faint smile
And mumbled hellos
He handed her
His treasure.
A silver wreath
On a golden chain
Sent her all a flutter.
Then magnetic hands
Broke the breeze
As they drifted along the way.

Those heavenly years
Flew right past,
And the merchant found himself at his vessel.
Once more he stepped off
With his talisman in hand
But no sapphire eyes to greet him.
No fragrance of raspberry or pears,
Nor a daring smile to melt him away.
All that awaited him:
An occupied tomb
And a mourning heart
Full of memories
Of calloused hands.