Jake's Flea Market

in the sun brillianced square

my saturday shadow had shrunk
down to the small
circle in which i stood

loudly the gander flocks gaggled
and more loudly the merchant throngs
and the throngs of purchasers haggled

i received
free rumours of plagues and of wars
free news of birth and of death
 
i was offered cabbage and kale
offered turnips and carrots
garlic and leeks   beans and peas
spinach and lettuce   good king henry
pork   lamb   poultry

before i bought a loaf
of rye bread for a pfenning or
for a pfenning   a pound of cheese

a chemise for a half thaler
or for a whole thaler i was offered
a barrel of peasant wine

before my shadow lengthened
i escaped the sun blinding market
through the door into the black eagle
into the dark dimmed with torches