days well spent

we looked in burrows for jirds and voles

followed elephants to their watering holes

shared a pear at the water’s edge

slept basking in the sun, legs hanging over the ledge

the grass was dried golden the valley at our feet all aglow

and twittering birds flitted in the thickets below

in the steep cliff face that was almost a wall

as we lay with our faces under your checkered shawl

and fluffy white clouds floated by casting shadows

that went in waves over the valleys and the meadows

and the steaming broccoli hills behind which we’d watch

the sun plunge each day unless there was a fog

then i’d  kiss your matted hair and you’d brush against my stubble

as we walked back home breaking the ice on the puddles