You are in Baakleen*

 Hey you passer-by! 

Linger awhile
adjust the handles of your watch 
on the rhythm of things around you
The sun slows down his pace
as he passes from here
to fill his eyes with the Chouf foothills  
 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~     

Stop, O passer-by!
adjust the beats of your heart.
Here the crowns of Chouf Mountains
hug the clouds
here the brides of cedar
feed from the breasts of the sun
here is the ascension of love and ecstasy
here the gods pour their aged wine  
in the mouths of poets 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dismount O passer-by!
take off your sandals
for you are in Baakleen

_________________________________________

_{* Baakleen is a city located in Chouf Mountains, 45 kilometers southeast of Beirut, Lebanon. I was invited to Baakleen National Library reading in early 2011 to participate in poetry reading.}