Landscape

007
Originally uploaded by cocosolis

Before this was a road, there was a creek -
A channel water carved into the rock.
Now in its stead stands an office block:
A vale of glass, and wood, and yellow brick.

A house not built

Picture 033
Originally uploaded by cocosolis

This was never a house, though I had all the stones
and beams of oak were ready for the task.
All I was missing was a piece of land
Which was there to be mine if I'd bothered to ask
But sooner I would have broken a bone
or severed with an axe this, my right hand.

The beams I burnt - this didn't keep me warm;
The stones I left, piled up on golden sand.

Landing

126
Originally uploaded by cocosolis

The vessel's keel made contact with the sand:
We disembarked, with weapons at the ready.
Our first steps were short, and not steady:
taking the measure of undiscovered land.