Idyllic for Gayla

The artful house of windows and steel snuggled amidst the countless trees


Stands atop a steep hill, surveying the spreading domain of the ‘Boro.

Its gay mistress resides with good humor and sweet concern

over all its many denizens, men left behind long after young ladies departed.

Wild cats, drawn to the crunch of food in set out bowls, who

Sometimes do not return from hunting forays, roles reversing with natural susurration.

Man’s best friend, gangly, rusty, youthfully obedient, and full of sloppy puppy love,

Taking his place in the dog history of this hale and hearty home.

Warm bowls of broth, abounding in flavor and nourishment,

Await a belly-up to the kitchen to build useful ‘table muscle.’

Fresh ground grains mix with liquid, yeast, salt, and yield to mechanized kneading

Producing the staff of life, sliced and warmly inhaled before consuming.

This is a place awash in the rich spirit of firm life, rounded and examined

Through skeins of yarn, pieces of pottery, sheaves of paper bespeaking aid to foreign places.

Two pairs of well-shaped and sturdy hands, clad in wedded bands,

Have built in time and space a settlement worthy of affection, gathering gentle age.

To crest the peak of this minor summit is to discover a pleasing oasis hidden from casual view.

Departing invokes thoughts of a speedy return before too many moons wax and wane.

The earth holds on happily to this tiny jewel of a kingdom with joyful willingness.