Chapters of books laid open

Bookmarks and notes in pencil

Maps on the walls, wine in the glasses

The verses of poets, the diaries of travelers,

Their scribbled ideas on pieces of paper.

Pictures of wildlife and paintings of masters

The music of Mozart, the singing of birds

Snow covered mountains, the wild seas of pirates

The millions of stars, the moon like a rose.

I haven’t moved from my empty table

Yet all these I know.