Lyric

The tent's been here longer than I've been traveling

Old woman inside, sorting berries by color

"How much for the full stack?" I ask

She doesn't look up

"Depends what you're feeding and why."

I tell her: one team, five creatures, one I caught three days ago

She pulls out a different set

"These. Not because they're cheaper

Because something new shouldn't eat what was made before."

I've never thought of it that way

Small knowledge in a small tent

Some lessons don't cost much

Stop when you pass through

I watch her hands move—

Sort, measure, stack, tie

No rush. No impatience

"How long you been here?" I ask

"Long as roads need stopping points."

She wraps the berries in leaves

"You're running to something or away?"

Both, I tell her

"Then you'll be back. Everyone comes back."

I don't argue. I pay. I leave

But I write down this crossroads on my map

Small knowledge in a small tent

Some lessons don't cost much

Stop when you pass through