Hurry

quick
kiss him before the agave blooms
before the Mistral blows

kiss him before the tea gardens
are laid waste
before the Aral Sea dries up
& the Gulf Stream disappears

kiss him before the blind white
salamander vanishes
& all the hidden caves are mapped

kiss him before the village weavers
finish the rug
before the troubadour's song ends

kiss him as the musicians tune
their long-necked sitars
while wild horses still roam free

kiss him before the Sirocco blows
before the Second Coming
before you're too old

kiss him before a third world war
breaks out

*
make up earth mother & sky father
forget your ancient grievances

follow him in the footprints
of the snow leopard
kiss him on your highest mountain top

Robin Fry
Petone
1st place


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