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august 2005

NUMBER SIXTY-EIGHT

Sixty-eight is on the gate

if you should come this way

where Jacaranda petals fall,

spread purple circles on green

carpets curved by azaleas ablaze

with pinks and reds and gold.

Drooping orchids ooze light sweet scents.

Festooned wisteria, honeysuckle hugging jasmine,

rondeletia, ginger, frangipani and more.

Gardenia, portwine-magnolia scented nights;

ah, this perfumed garden divine. Intoxicating, warm

mellow air of early spring in paradise. Dear friend

it's really awfully nice if you

should come this way

where mating pythons

slip and slide,

become one plait

then untwist

twirl,

slink silently

into

smoky

sunset haze.

Sixty-eight is on the gate

if you should come this way.