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A MODEST TREASURE By Michael E. Stone A straightforward, modest book, stands proudly alongside jewelled, gold-crusted treasures made for bishops and kings. Sewn with twine, and bound with leather over wooden boards, lovingly. Copied in a village church by a priest, for love of God, in black, blocky letters by stylus in carbon ink on thick stiff yellow paper laid and polished by hand. A note by a reader three centuries ago, a memorial for his soul, and that of his dead mother. A later owner says he ransomed it from bondage, from the hands of "the others". Cherished, it enfolds past lives and future hope. -- Michael Stone is Professor of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has published poetry in Ararat, Avocet, Byline Magazine, Hazmat Review, King Log, Mandrake Poetry Review, Ruah, White Heron, ARC, and Voices Anthology. He also translates medieval Armenian poetry into English and has published translations in Ararat, Sion and St. Nersess Theological Review. He is at present finalizing an English translation of the medieval biblical epic Adamgirk' by Arak'el of Siwnik'. In addition to poetry he has published numerous scholarly books and articles on Armenian studies.