When thunder flashes and lightning claps
The icicles grow upwards from the taps
And point to a sodden, saddened sky from whence
The coldest rain fulfils the earthly floods
Restoring thus a zest for life in parched soil.
The hatless Ilkley shepherds fly backwards to their moor
And worms find their way at break of day
To feasting on the likes of you and I
Until something snaps.
Navigators seek meridians on their maps
From eastwards to the west and northwards to the south
To discover the unseen energy of Qi so that we mortals
May enjoy the stable calm that leads unto
Those reasoned, rugged elements that,
Some do say, will save our souls.
Things of a sodden past lead to a sadder future for us all
Hands of clocks move backwards or, better, stand quite still
As a Proustian definition of a time to kill
In year 25 of century 21
The robin pines for signs of footsteps in the snow
Is this the way to where we go?
|| features@portugalresident.com
Roberto Cavaleiro first came to Portugal in 1982, acting as advisor to international investors. Current interests include animal welfare and writing opinion articles, especially with reference to environmental issues.
