Sun-baked slopes rest at the foot of marble giants—rugged, yet carved with care.
Olive groves, framed between tropic fronds, stand anchored in time, adorned with ripening fruit.
Swifts swoop for a taste of the ocean in a peaceful pool, where cool ripples lap at bronzed toes–poised to step away from a world once walked heavily.
Golden light dances in a wine-filled glass—swirling to release heady aromas of lemon and jasmine.
Lime-green lizards rest in the shade of an orange tree, warming their bellies on sun-soaked slabs.
The hoot of a scops owl echoes through the night, as eyes drift up to the star-studded sky—and thoughts of their maker.
Moments, caught in lens and memory, reflect the joy of sharing local delicacies and stories with loved ones.
Rest is found here.
I wrote this short poem for the hosts of a Sicilian villa where my family and I stayed this summer. Giovanni & Teresa couldn’t have been more welcoming, and we wanted to leave them with a personal gift as a token of our thanks. The villa and the surroundings are stunning, and it felt natural to encapsulate the landscape, wildlife and atmosphere in verse. My husband, Jan, used his calligraphy skills to bring it to life on paper, and we presented it to our hosts as something they might frame if they wished.
I enjoyed stretching my creative muscles again. Writing has always been my passion, though I often shy away from it for fear of making mistakes—or of appearing cheesy or self-indulgent. The poem is far from perfect, but being able to use my creativity as a gift for others—in my limited but heart-felt way—brings me so much joy.
Here are a few photos from our holiday that may cast light on some aspects of the poem! As the saying goes, “you had to be there”, but hopefully they give a flavour of this Sicilian oasis.
