Child’s Chair of Honour

 


She sat there with caramels 
Given by Marta. 
Marta and Pieter 
Their fish stall for years. 
Childless the couple 
From Hungary arriving 
Civil war, division 
Betrayal and tears. 
Market their business 
Pieter the Buyer, gone 
Toronto some days. 
Marta the bedrock 
Of their undertaking. 
Loving the children 
When they lost their way. 
This one a six year old 
Split from her parents. 
Crying and searching 
Then finally the Chair. 
Caramels from Marta 
And motherly comfort. 
Felt like a safe place 
Til parents showed there. 
Young woman later 
With two kids attending 
Returns to the Market 
And Kitchener fare. 
No longer Marta. 
And Pieter, retiring. 
Still she addresses 
Sweet tale of the Chair.

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