visitor's souvenir

I visited the birthplace

of my great grandmother

18 years ago

on my birthday

I walked the streets in the country

and saw statues of 3 children,

a boy and 2 girls.

I saw olive trees, fields, homes

and candles lit for a Lady.

I walked the city streets

and heard music in the park.

I tasted the delicacies

of the land

I climbed steps of castles of the past,

Entered heavy wooden doors and iron gates

that led me to see the works of human hands.

My feet took me to climb on hills

to view the landscape of the land.

I brought back home a souvenir

to remind me where my ancestor came from.

It was just sitting in the kitchen cabinet of 15 years

I opened it the last month of the year.

I expected it to be sour and inedible

but alas, to my surprise

it was the sweetest tasting wine that touched my lips.

I shared it to those who came to my home

the day I opened it.

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Portugal