Village Goldsmith Poem by Michael Pruchnicki

They say in a tale told in desert lands
that once in a village far from here
an apprentice goldsmith set up shop
by a silken stream trickling nearby

He labored day and night hammering
and fashioning delicate things
of filigree gold and lattice work
that the king and his court envied

Word went out from shady chambers
in the sultan's palace -

'Bring me that artificer of bright gold,
the master of hammer and tong,
that he may work his subtle magic
to design a crown for my queen! '

Marble halls resplendent in silver
welcomed the artisan who worked
long hours and wrought the queen
a diamond-studded diadem!

The moral of the tale for poets
contemporary and modern -
work at your craft!