[FOsen]

From Adam Smith, who’d meant the words as praise,
Napoleon cribbed the line that “L’Angleterre
est vraiment une nation de boutiquiers.”
Now, like the corner shop itself, that phrase
seems antiquated or, at least, deficient.
Just think, though, for a hundred years and more
some expert’s been predicting the small store
will vanish; it’s too cramped, it's inefficient.
Yet while it hasn’t always prospered, it’s
survived privation, mega-marts, the Blitz
and will, no doubt, outlive indifference.
Consider, too, those countries that have been
from time to time, comprised of meaner men,
and one might glean a milder inference
which may be drawn from Bonaparte’s tart curse:
Shopkeepers? Well, a nation could do worse.

Frank