The Road to Segesta on Mount Barbaro, Sicily

Coming down from the north,

the road winds through spring-flowered fields

to  its dramatic place on center stage

between the road and the ancient sea.

Green everywhere,

and the blue of water and sky.

The temple stands alone

stark white with age,

its pillars like the ribs of some mammoth

that died before the beginning of history,

a skeleton bearing old stories

relevant and new as the green grass

surrounding the old temple of beliefs.

Lucille Hamilton