Joyeux Noël

At the café
overlooking the valley
(and the next perched village)
locals sit and drink –
ask a stranger among them,
‘Why are you here? No one
comes to this place even if they know
it exists – why are you here?’

Navigating narrow passages
(cobbles uneven under foot and slippery
when wet) steadied by the stone facades as
they walk down and up
a mountain as alive and breathing as its
inhabitants – they have become blind

The café opens, and
closes to the rhythm of its patrons

In spring, village doors and
windows flutter or clatter in the breeze
breathe in the environment
later turn into themselves for
protection from (winds of) the winter mistral

At dusk, a fragile crepiscule
descends and spreads across the valley
storms are gothic, summer
heat can be intense, lavender and
poppies set the valley on fire
everything ignites the senses, not
least the lowly snail –
its soft and elongated body in shimmering
elegant contrast to rough and weathered stone –
all from a time swept away by the modern world

Here might be found life’s foundations –
a grounding to place and environment
peace to be embraced, strength
born from surviving one thousand years

During this season of unbridled enthusiasm
seek a place of simplicity and solitude
ponder le quotidien – and ask yourself,
‘Why are you here?’

Happy holidays 2014!