Positano on Italy’s Amalfi Coast

I awoke early one morning and

walked out onto the balcony of my hotel.

The sun was rising,

the air cool,

the sweet scent of orange blossoms

wafted from the blood-orange tree.

I saw

 the sun-dappled blue of the Mediterranean,

 the muted green of olive trees,

the vivid fushia of bougainvillea.

I stood

awash with color

and listened to

the rhythmic splash of waves below.

Marveling at

Earth’s natural beauty,

I wondered

how I had slipped

so near to heaven.