Pathways Of Santa O'Vaia Poem by Geoffrey Fafard

Sunshine shaded by my old right arm
Gathers in gold morning chatter
The ground shares memories
Of so many passed feet
Of so many passed years
Its cool up here in the hills
With the goats and sheep
And their guard dogs and geese
Where roses show their colours
Spying from narrow garden spaces
Showing off to me
Like colourful children
Peering at me from around corners
And ledges pretending to be hidden
All of this is new and exciting
And mossy green and inviting
Stone walls climb on forever
Rendered and strewn with wild flowers
Water springs cool and fresh
Deep from under the earth
And splashes like frivolous froth
In path side fountains
So I sit a long while
Here in the hills of Portugal
And contemplate
The charm of the challenge
Of change.