The memory remains

Sunlight streams down, permeated with laughter.

The inebriating scent of flowers hangs in the air.

The dark brown aroma of coffee finds it's voice in the timbre of the accents as they merge and dissipate into the wider cacophony, 

all held in check by the rhythmic strumming of a Spanish guitar.

Flashed smiles, playful glances.

Shadows delighting at their time in the sun, refusing to sit still,

they revel in the freedom to dance,

Far from dark rooms and warm stale air.

The white walls of the proud pristine houses are reflected in the joyous fluttering of the sails in the bay,

attached to the myriad vessels which bring the lucky ones here, for who would ever want to leave? 

A songbird on every corner and a tune on every breath,

A story on every face and always a hand to shake.

As the shadows lengthen and the daytime colours fade,

The evening shimmers with a life all it's own, 

A portrait of soft, playful dusk

Framed by trees and fireflies.

The sweet flavour of rum mixes with the warm night air 

complementing the perfumes on the warm skin of the unintentionally provocative beauties,

decorated in splendour,

nimble and vigorous like painted birds.

But they belong in no cage, they mean to soar

As my heart soars in this paradise, peppered with earthly charm.

Then sweetness fades as a voice from a past life calls me back,

The essence of the oasis to sit in memory, blocked by tangible walls and sharp words.

I'm the caged stray, I can perceive the wonder but can never belong,

I can never dance in such a scene of beauty, I have no role to play on this stage.

Back to the concrete backdrop with the players and plot I know so well.

A place to find forever 

But forever didn't last for long.

The allure remains....