we sleep in a cave

a cave on a slant of layered rock

that sweeps to the sea

and in the sea   which is a shade of blue

we had never seen

urchins by the score   scores of scores

cover the sea-bed   the sun burning us quickly  

we hide in the cave

reading novels   venturing out in the evenings

to walk up the hill   into town   for a shower

behind dimitri's home  

and dinner at his restaurant   which his wife prepares 

serves with a smile   graciousness

and retsina

~

sometimes   we sit at a table by the sea

watching the sun set

with a small plate of olives   a small glass of ouzo

watch fisherman come in with their catch   sometimes  

in the cool of the evening   we watch

the parade of young young men   handsome and bold

walk in pairs   holding hands   white shirts open to the waist  

proud of their muscled   dark chests  

parade and preen before the young women  

who are shy   or coy   who sit by the town center's fountain  

whispering and laughing  

while old men play backgammon

sipping strong   black coffee   talking politics 

certain of their words

~

sometimes one needs a cave

a sea to swim in  

a rock to lie upon   a book to read

sights that are new and lasting  

a place to wash   another to eat and drink   find gaiety  

in strings of colored lights

hear a friendly word from a stranger  

find hope in a sun-bleached   white-washed world   in a town

as pure and self-contained as this

where fisherman make a living by the sea  

and young people find what they are looking for

right before their eyes   and it is enough  

it is enough for some   roads that lead to town  

also lead away from town