After thirty years of living
Together we have come back
To where time passes less swiftly
And attention is paid to the senses.
Under a Spanish arch
Old friends embrace us.
Street greetings are familial.
Here a hug is not distrusted.
With Mexican chillies we warm
Our mouths, and mango juice
Drips down our fingers.
We sip Salubrious tea of manzanilla.
Minstrels seranade under balconies
Draped with flags of bougainvilla.
Across the street in the cantina
A jukebox plays us to sleep.
Crossing the old courtyard
Of an abandoned chapel fragrant
With luminous cups of gold,
We are not ashamed to hold hands.