EDEN

She sings of sun and Olive

and of herself for selfs sake.

The olives enrich that that grow near her

and enrich us as Socrates did.

They enroach upon our night

asnd build low havens on earth.

You can touch them when they fall

and you can take them into your mouth

and feel her evenly.

You gather them with all their brusing

and in the garden of Eden

you are never alone.

Then hold them

and build your deepest wish

by the morning light it will be gone.

These and her are the dark

green joys of the Salento soil

and how glorious is the colour

the rough taste

of bruised lips

that retains its flower and its eden.