Mountain Water

Somewhere along the southern coast of Crete,
near the quiet of Loutro, there is a mountain,
covered with scrub and wildflowers and stones,

but below the rough red, sometimes orange
earth, the mountain is full of water. If you sit
long enough, put away all thoughts and watch,

you can see it shrink, softly, in the summer.
(Winter rains, if they come, replenish it.)
But you must watch. Forget all thoughts,

sit in the shade of a tamarisk tree, and relax.
Under the paths, stone walls, dead trees,
under the sun, the moon, and clouds,

this mountain will disappear in your lifetime,
maybe even today. But you must watch.

***

Ion Corcos has been published in The Literary Nest, Every Writer, Grey Sparrow Journal, Plum Tree Tavern, The High Window and other journals. He is a Pushcart Prize nominee. The themes of his work centre on life, nature and spirit. He is currently travelling indefinitely with his partner, Lisa. Ion’s website is www.ioncorcos.wordpress.com