by Megan Mimiaga
In Vatican City, rosaries are sold in the skinny, open-air street markets
and range in price from five Euro to twenty-five Euro and up;
Some made of real silver—not priced, sit behind glass.
In this tourist hub, the shops are swarming with backpackers
and giddy children picking up the colorful trinkets,
recognizing Pope Francis’ face on a T-shirt.
What a lively scene.
Off in St. Peter’s Square, it is misty, and quiet, and desolate.
Pigeons and crows bob their necks, hoping to find
a scone crumb from a busier day. Booming bells ring out
over the ancient streets. I look around,
not knowing what I’m supposed to do.
The birds flutter and fly away; I begin my walk home.
