in the midst of the lava coulee
we enter the cool of the upper storey
lava stone, Canarian, traditional
but with modern comforts:
wide window, large room, electric light -
too tired to read our guidebook
I shed my deck-shoes and feel the cool
of the tiled floor - we wander to the patios
to picon plant-beds tended with love
around a pond where time is
now somehow thinner, air stilled
by nature and design
the landscaping around the house -
contrasting inorganic black lava
volcanic ash and zocos
with fruit trees, cacti, exotic succulents
bright bougainvillea blooms over arbour
walls of white, lattice and roses
the seasons reds and greens
colouring in the pergola
blue sky and bright mosaic tile
then those precarious steps downstairs -
where subterranean secrets hide
five natural volcanic bubbles
interconnected by tunnels excavated in the lava
once hostile made comfortable and fitted in style -
chill-out spaces and trademark white paths
water cascading into jewel-like pools of turquoise:
ballroom, oven, barbecue, workshop, a tree
hung with basket birds - cool niches
for relaxing and fun, curvy, hippy-hints
of Ibiza and Morroco where flora abounds and thrives
amidst ubiquitous basalt the rounded window view -
a petrified lava ocean, encrusted, char-black
strange liquid form - euphorbia, lichens
and cacti surf the waves - a constant dialogue engages:
nature ... rock ... island ... planet ...
and outside again by the tall candelabra cacti -
a cool white stone seat among aloes and geraniums
fractal heads of wax agave
paddle succulent and green prince dazzeling
- you stand by the colourful wind sculpture
smiling and holding your camera
your tanning arms
caught in the bright flare of African sun
Fantastic! ❤️
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