Remember :: Greece

In Santorini the donkey hat waved for my attention 
The day was as vivid as Dr Seus' imagination 
One red dog floating lightly in the blue sky 
Blue windows and doors emerged from walls so white 
Black and white oval pebbles rise and fall on the deep undulating steps 
A cream dog danced on the black volcanic beach so free 
Orange ball sunk slowly into the deep blue sea 

The donkey never chose to be worked until it breaks 
A mockery of all things equally made
As dawn comes, the harness pulled so tight
Calluses from brick baskets piled mountain high
Whip cracked on its back as it paused to breathe 
Tourists bum cracks sway side to side on their steed 
Their load laden with moussaka and ouzo greed
Repetitive trips borne until dusk dipped

Disembarked the ferry on the shores of Naxos 
Octopus beckoned us to come across
Hung to air dry on the line so taut 
Danced in the salty breeze freshly caught 
Like shredded brown flags infused in salt spray, they flapped
White sand lightly exfoliating my back 
Hot, I pulled the donkey hat down by the straps 

Sitting on the cosy dining room corner bench 
Friendly atmosphere slightly tense 
Plastic lined table with floral cotton skin
The wrinkled lady watched with a sly grin 
The fire water with colour of gin
Kept in a partly crumpled bottle
As we downed the tumblers, full throttle 
The sweetness burned as it trickle slowly down into the soul 

We spoke no Greek while Anna spoke no English
She was kind and gave us a dish
Of rice wrapped with cabbage
Her heart enclosed in each package
Our hand gestures spoke millions 
The eyes darted here there to listen
As donkey hat awaited for Anna's daughter to return
The warm sun beyond the room it yearned 

Breakfast of honey drizzled on Greek yoghurt
Served by a man with one leg that was hurt 
He limped out from a cafe - one of three
The donkey hat shaded my glee 
As September was blissful without blemishes on the white sand 
Our footsteps' paths drawn in freehand 
But the kittens that emerged from the Portara 
Their paths unknown in the impending air so polar

The restless refocused their lives with Santorini sunsets
These scenes only available for the blessed 
Athens populated with those similar to their donkeys' lives
Never-ending work where tourists thrive
Acropolis is a jumble of unloved mess
Artefacts scattered worthlessly, laid to rest
Millions of pieces looted by the British
Their long awaited return to Tschumi's museum on their wish list

Monty Python gait with pom poms upon their toes
The unknown soldier killed by his foes
Gave his life in exchange for our freedom
For us to build a peaceful kingdom 
When the light I lit dwindled away 
I light another one for him again
Every moment, time is taken to reflect
The donkey hat lowered and bowed with respect

Pythia, the Oracle in Delphi 
Menu of rabbit with butter beans and salad of cheese 
Appeared in my snowy dreamlike trip
She predicted our long relationship 
The donkey hat has stayed by my side
It emerges when the sun shines so bright
It too is like a jewel of a friend 
It takes care of me until the very end