Yesterday, the young man who sold me the beautiful painted crosses last week
was back at school with his wares.
He told me that my Spanish was better.
I would like to believe him
but think he might have said that
because he wanted for me to buy more crosses,
which I did, and would have done anyway.

I think that these will make nice gifts for my friends-
scenes of village life, naïve and fresh,
painted on smooth wooden crosses
of various sizes.

They’re lovely to look at and charming in their simplicity.
but I think I like them so much because they show that grace
can be found in village life—something as simple as harvesting corn,
cooking a rabbit for dinner over an open fire.
or having a young Mexican artisan
tell you that your Spanish is better this week.

2/20/09