zme: landscape

[Zita Maria Evensen]

in the middle of a valley
an hacienda by a meandering stream
a structure of pine and brick
with white lace curtains shyly
peeking through large bay windows
and weathered redwood gates

an orchard always perfumed
by whatever-is-in-flower
brickwalks wind around the house
like terra-cotta ribbons
edged by crystal-blue alyssum
and rose-quartz candytufts

the sky was always blue there
even the rain seem to request
the honour of its presence
after our afternoon tea
under a jasmine-bowered verandah

things were never in the right place
even the kitchen was in another place
granddad never liked the blend
of cooking and pipe tobacco

who really cares where the kitchen was
there were dragonflies to chase
fireflies to wonder at
while playing royalty with robes
like butterflies

a secret swimming hole
with convenient vines to swing from
i suspected grandmother
made the necessary arrangements

i do not remember
what was in grandmother's house
since we moved infinite leagues away
and timeless-whiles ago
all i remember
is the beautiful outside

copyright by zita maria evensen
rev 22.11.96