This is a memory from a long-ago visit to Positano, Italy, on the Amalfi Coast. I was there again in 2019, but didn’t get to spend much time in this lovely cliffside village. When I traveled to Positano at age 22, I was certain it was the most beautiful place in the entire world. It may very well be.

Positano 

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 citrus blossoms
wafted from a nearby blood orange tree

I saw
 the sun-dappled blue Mediterranean,
 the muted green olive trees,
the vivid burgundy bougainvillea.

I stood
awash with color
and listened to 
the rhythmic splash of waves 

I marveled 
at Earth’s natural beauty 
and wondered how I'd slipped 
so near to heaven