It’s almost impossible to believe
in something as yet unseen,
known, but craving confirmation
the guide related, his hand pointing
to the surfaces beyond gilded doors.
A glimpse of something returning
though of what, I was uncertain
as a tourist knows little.
Birds crossed over first, looked down
on an ornate dome which decorated the city
that breathed amongst ordinary ruins,
a gold watch settled under frayed cuffs,
whilst the doorway opened.
Azure lined a palm blinded courtyard
that eclipsed a peacock’s eager display,
wall tiles polished with sun spots settled
away from a fountain marble pool,
and prayers of sentinent lives cast
their protective layers over intricate designs.
And truly it was unlikely, had I not viewed
whilst tea was poured in golden steams,
melting the air, with a flavour
infused in forgotten twenties style,
I would have thought this long extinct.
