~ Ode to Olive Tree ~

Ode a di olivo

In Southern Italy
lining the orchards
along the Ruins of Pompeii
olive trees have branched for centuries

Flourishing on limestone slopes
across fields of flowing wheat
adjacent raisin plums
purple honors the oily beauty

Under buttery skies silky breeze
olive trees have tolerated drought,
fire and are disease free! burning
an eternal flame in abundance for peace and glory

Roman poet Horace dined on olives
pure sustenance although bitter to swallow
was cured of brine before the after his feastful glee
as priestly kings were anointed on royal blue knees

Gnarly trunk wrapping at twisted base
rooted deep in the Garden of Gethsemane
Athens stated you rose here first!
…with your polished silvery green leaves

Fragrant Amalfi coast scented rows
of sisterly lemon and orange trees
little towns built on the steepest of time
where quaint houses sat upon mountainous climb

Mediterranean fruit of small drupe
your fleshy surroundings pitted pyrene
harvested in autumn and winter
finds you dressing a table top serene

Tugging to pull warm infused herb bread
as rosemary kneaded thyme, torn into tears
dipped and dredged, bathed in oily wine
moist lips savor Positano’s memory of tasty divine