I was an experienced hiker, who had rambled down many famous trails,
Like earth's charming, 365 day tales, of its seasonal, sightseeing avails.
I'd trekked routes in Australia and Tanzania, and also numerous others,
Like a deep purple mist is fading, to dispel a normalcy which smothers.
As I walked the endless vacation miles, I had abundant time to ponder,
Like the sun, spending its gold everywhere, owning plenty to squander.
My family and friends were understanding, as many of them hiked, too,
......
Kalimba notes drift out
To my delighted ear
As if the Matobo plains
Were conveyed from afar.
The tines - reverberating -
Complete an ethereal bar.
Each bar - artfully plucked -
Speaks kindly to my heart.
a walk in the wind
in the fresh, fragrant season
vivifying breaths
a walk in wildness
sunlit hair is in my eyes
disorderly blooms
a walk in chaos
that keeps the pinwheels turning
......
The Sahara is another vast sea
Of zero-edge horizons
And remote hours of austerity
For "sailors" upon caravans
And the Sun beams mercilessly
And seems cruel to patrons
Until the Wind scoffs haggardly
And reshapes its art of dunes.
I was a meticulous city planner, like future plans we make for jasmine days,
And I loved beautifying the big city, like blooming parks where nature plays.
I was ever striving to improve the metropolis, proposing plans and projects,
And meeting with public officials, as stars and moon improve night prospects.
I administered government policies, and decided the best uses for city land,
And I was informed on zoning and construction codes, with data on demand.
I was proud of that bustling metropolis, for like red sun, it was going places,
......
Kalimba notes drift out
To my delighted ear
As if the Matobo plains
Were conveyed from afar.
The tines - reverberating -
Complete an ethereal bar.
Each bar - artfully plucked -
Speaks kindly to my heart.
The Sahara is another vast sea
Of zero-edge horizons
And remote hours of austerity
For "sailors" upon caravans
And the Sun beams mercilessly
And seems cruel to patrons
Until the Wind scoffs haggardly
And reshapes its art of dunes.
Rabat is a black pearl
Of cellophanic rainbow
Gazing upon waves that curl
And lick a shore little known.
Gibraltar is the dock
Where it steadfast moors –
Enjoying sailboats that flock
The Mediterranean course
......
What a curtain Bisbee has
That keeps Mexico subdued
And influences the lands
From which the Sierra was hewn.
What purple folds keep Oaxaca
As a fortress in the sky
Breaking only in Panama
To let a vessel dredge by.
......
El Capitan - you are a joint
Within the Sierra Nevadas
Of punctuated granite -
A sentinel of the ages.
Sylvestris partition -
Beam of silver - or steel -
Are you a step to heaven
Or a capstone for hell?
......