by Ashton Marhevka

(a found poem inspired by Paolo Coehlo’s The Alchemist)

the horizon was tinged with red
and suddenly the sun appeared
he was excited
and at the same time uneasy
maybe the girl has already forgotten him
he was sure the girl would never understand
the boy laughed
out of happiness
he went on telling stories about his travels
and her bright, moorish eyes
went wide with fear and surprise
it was a pleasant change
from talking to his sheep
with the girl in the raven hair
his days would never be the same
another trick, the boy thought
but he decided to take a chance
his hands began to tremble
and the woman sensed it
this is a port, and every port
has its thieves
people say strange things, the boy thought
so the boy was disappointed
sometimes it is better to be with sheep
who don’t say anything