The Wishing Well


Where the river flows I found a dam
Making a small lake for the ladies
The ladies of the canyon
The ones with rough round hands

Alongside under the sheltered place
They meet with the bundles of cloth
Brought to be unfolded and cleansed
By the magic of the wanton waves

At the other hour of the day
When mothers with other tasks distract
Young boys with fishing rods proud
Practise the art of waiting around

They rest on the railing their arms folded
Under the heads of the untamed eyes
As the water comes unseen only
To rush over the rim with a sound
That only water makes

And to this sound I sleep until
The sun stirs the colours alive
One more time again

Bevagna, 10 January 2012