EASTER BREAD

First published in April 2020

She limps up the hill,
basket on her arm,
offers us a traditional
Easter treat.

She could have
come from some ancient
painting, headscarf, apron,
long patterned skirt.

Flaounas, she mutters
handing us a miniature loaf.
We mumble our thanks
fumbling in unfamiliar Greek.

But the gesture is
world-wide, a gift, one
from an impoverished
old woman living alone.

The bread, we learn
is made from flour, sugar
and herbs galore. It's plaited,
looks quite beautiful

At lunchtime, we share
the little loaf - Interesting,
we agree, practising
thank-you's in our best Greek.

Efharisto poli, Marina!