Little Gypsy Poem by Liilia Talts Morrison

Tell me truly, little gypsy
Do you hail from India
Persia, Siam, in the mountains
Or the coasts of Libya

Are your trinkets, sequins, bangles
Meant to shelter from all harm
Golden earrings, velvet ribbons
Colored bodkins keep you warm

Laces, ribbons, flowered sashes
Pearls in rows all dangling down
Is your costume and demeanor
Like the greasepaint of a clown

In the distance is your wagon
Painted boldly, like a toy
Is your life as bright and jolly
Stealing kisses from a boy

When the violins at even
Start the tragic songs of old
Voices mingling by the campfire
Do you cry or still act bold

Soon it's time to move the family
Horses, dogs and children small
Leaving yet another valley
Will you miss it not at all

Are your soul and body fashioned
From a cloth of ancient weave
Strands of silver, fringes scarlet
Asking you to never grieve

Little gypsy, tell me truly
Please don't fool me with a lie
When you leave another village
Do you really mean goodbye?