POSTCARD FROM XANTHE RHODES

VILLAGE SQUARE

old men

on ancient chairs

sit in contemplation

of long-lost loves twirling

their prayer beads

old women

whose lustrous tresses

once tossed sensuously

hide beneath scarves

hair which now turns grey

a stray dog

casts its dull eyes

over the dusty ground.

Made drowsy by the mid-day sun

he sleeps

a child;

a bright-eyed charmer

enters the arena

bubbling and gurgling

a joy for all to share.

stirring,

men, women, dog

greet her with hugs and wags

moved by her trusting eagerness

for life.

chatter

breaks out once more

the square a hub of sound

the child and dog sit side by side

at ease.