furniture and
antique statues,
an auction room nearby
provided a distraction, like as not,
from watching as his parents died.
'ere he released them to the tomb
one thing in his control;
to win his lot.

once both had gone
he journeyed home
to mountains faraway.
the mover's followed with the treasures won.
the beauty he had gathered lay
around him as he sat alone;
an orphan now - the sole
surviving son