This is the story of a run
Out in the soft October sun.
And did you see something of note?
A lady walking a she goat!
Where goats in Crete are you can tell;
On hillsides there’s a tinkling bell.
And if you chance to see a goat
It usually has a shaggy coat.
You don’t expect to see them neat
Or walking down a Vamos street.
The next instalment of the story?
Down the bends to Gavalachori.
Then on the Agios Pavlos road –
Just dodged a pickup with its load –
I didn’t reach the village quite
But turned instead down to the right
Where Douliana on its hill
Meant there was height to be gained still.
An ancient path – huge slabs of stone –
But where it is more overgrown
I went instead straight up the slope
In mingled curiosity and hope.
Then did a kind of double take
“My goodness me – a beehive snake!”
I’m sure that in that string of hives
The bees all live contented lives
Where running late is not a crime
Besides, they usually are on thyme.
