October in Crete

OCTOBER IN CRETE

Behind the Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof
the brilliant sun is quickly setting.
Beyond lies the peninsular
with its monastery and Orthodox Academy.
Meanwhile in the East
the gibbous moon rises
over the haze of
jagged mountain tops
that stretch almost to Africa
but for the sea that cuts between.
Lanes lined with bamboo
lead to olive groves
and orange trees that crop twice-yearly.
Dogs and hens and goats
share yards,
each with their private shrine to St. Nicholas.
Even after dark
it is still warm.

© Gerald England

Composed: Maleme, 3rd October 2006

Publication

2007 Sons of Camus Writers International Journal (Cyprus)