It's been three hundred and sixteen years
Since the last authenticated sighting of St. Roch
Still, the waiting room is crowded with
Bachelors, diseased cattle, dogs,
Falsely accused people, invalids, Istanbulis,
Surgeons, tile-makers, gravediggers,
Dealers in used goods, pilgrims and apothecaries.
Occasionally, they speak to each other
A surgeon and an apothecary sometimes
Do what they can for the sickest cattle
Dogs are everywhere. They usually have
Problems of their own but bark amusingly,
Trying to cheer the glummest bachelors.
When the weather is good there may be
Impromptu parades. Dogs howl or walk
Upright, leaning on twisted canes;
Banners wave; sick cattle nod to the crowd
From floats advertising patent medicines.
The falsely accused help tile-makers and bachelors
Carry invalids through the Istanbul streets.
(Being thoughtful people, the gravediggers
Never offer to lend a hand.)
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