Excerpts from Romantic Cyprus by Kevork Keshishian2

[crivelli]

The Cyprus tree
The amusing poem published [here] is inspired by the unique Cyprus law whereby purchase of the land does not necessarily entail ownership of the trees thereon. [...]

I bought a field in Cyprus where grew an olive tree,
I watered it and pruned it with assiduity
Until I found I owned the ground but did not own the tree.

I bought the tree; for weeks I thought the haggling would not stop
Now I can pick my olives and start a little shop.
"Oh no!" they said, "you've bought the tree but not the olive crop.

At least I can sit under it; a little seat I made
Where I could smoke my cigarette and drink my lemonade.
But no, although the tree was mine, I did not own the shade.

In my despair I cut it down, if not for shade or food
It might provide a cheerful fire if that was all it could.
Alas, although I had the tree I did not have the wood.

(P.N.)

part I