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Trifles

from 7 Little Parisian Poems

Elizabeth Smither


A mere trifle consoles us, for a mere trifle distresses us

– Pascal

A tiny wooden ladybug from Le Chat Reveur
where I've bought a black and grey silk scarf
of lush black cats climbing on staves

'To bring you luck, to keep luck with you.'
Now I open my purse several times a day
to see if the minute creature is still there

and hasn't flown while I'm fumbling for
a euro or five for a nun (inside)
or the beggar (by the exit) of Notre Dame

or fifty centimes or twenty to slip
under the saucer at Le Petit Suisse
and leave to an 'Au revoir, Bonne journée.'

 


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