The Oasis at Can Cera
The taxi tyres yelp as they move across worn coble street
reep, reep, birdlike as each coble is counted in and then out again.
Idly you try to make a melody fit the rhythm, humming gently under your breath
Till suddenly the street meets a junction that forces a stop,
the taxi driver with gestures draws the situation on an air canvass
Too narrow you smile and nod with a low mumbled… Si
He points the way you should go and helps you out with your bag
Si …. Gracias, The words roll around your mouth with their unused consonants
and for a fleeting moment, solemnly you vow to learn the language
till the guilt slowly recedes from your mind
The buildings lean towards each other in a latin embrace
Three and four stories high, at the top only twelve feet apart
Galleries built with a where for out thou Montegue and Capulet style
A tiled road now and the wheels on your case act as accompanying castanets
To the sound of the receding taxi as you pick up pace
nostrils quiver to new smells of heat,
different, so different to your northern homeland
Past the small supermarket where the young people gather
They laugh and jostle against each other with their one euro pastries in hand
Full of the simple joy of being, a passion for sharing life
Past the open gate with the cool stone courtyard, a siren beckoning within
To the imposing dark wood coaching gate with its small inset door.
A gate whose timbers reek of hot dry summers and dust
Resplendent in their assertion of being, defiance, a history of their existence
Black Iron girded hinges speak of a blacksmith craft long past, but still cherished
A small brass bell button with a dull patina waits patiently for you to push
unexpected a solenoid clicks acknowledgement of a right to grant passage
Slowly pushing the door open to be greeted by a tranquillity
For two breaths, standing assessing assimilating
as the eye signals joy to transcend upon all.
Byzantine inspiration within the confines of a part covered courtyard
Grand designs where Christian and Moor had long since had downed animosities
and collaborated to fuse their opinions of the aesthetic
Amphora inspired ceramic shapes sleep with a spring's gentle gurgling waters
Whilst nestling under full size palms and banana trees fronds that caress
with their beautiful delicate green fingers an invisible upward draft.
Foot shined cobblestones juxtaposed marble and limestone stairs
Majlis with sumptuous cushions positively dare the traveller to sit,
smile, share a good story over coffee and some delights
Rustic grasses adorn the wall a subtle nod to the fields that sustain all life here
Corn, almonds, wine and olives held with a biblical reverence
All here nature has given to be carved,
formed by human mind and shaped by an artisan’s hand
All here for the weary soul to forget what has been or what future may come to pass
Simply Inviting the traveller just open their mind to the moment
To enjoy the beauty that is living, to sit, to smile, to share with new friends your story.
To celebrate all that is this wonderful life.