I went to Bormes-les-Mimosas
Without my camera.
Dumb, dumb, harrumph!
A lot of folks would say.
Can’t say it was smart or gay
Not to freeze in time the triumph
Of fall colors climbing balconies
Or purple bougainvillea topping cedar trees.
But I looked my fill,
Wandering at will
Through narrow arches
And hidden porches,
Scaling steep stairs
Slowly, knees protesting,
Breaths, short and panting.
I passed closed boutiques
With witty names or unique
Such as A Fleur de lame¹ for cutlery
And Poussière de lune² for jewelry.
I stopped in la Ruelle des Sarasins³
Wondering what took place therein;
Imagined musicians and jongleurs
In La Cour des Troubadours ;
Smiled in la Venelle des amoureux*
Thinking of stolen kisses (un ou deux);
And was very careful
In the Rue Tombe-cul.**
When I reached the ramparts
I could see all the way
Down the valley
To the sea, and beyond, parts
Of blue islands, fuzzily.
The sky was cloudy,
The air was smoky.
A camera wouldn’t have seen
The places I’ve been.
Glossary:
1 “A fleur de” means really close, practically touching and is often used to convey sensibility; “la fleur de” means the best of “A fleur de lame” suggests close to the blade…but it evoques “ A fleur de l’âme” which is close to the soul.
2. Moon dust
3. Lane of the Saracens
4. Troubadours’ court
*. Lovers’ lane
**. Literally “fall on your ass.”
unbuttoned or undone 
The sky was cloudy,
The air was smoky.
A camera wouldn’t have seen
The places I’ve been.
Love the finish
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Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment.
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Hi! Your Blog is nice and very interesting.Thanks! I enjoy following your blog! I see you like nature and beauty. I’m an artist.
I adore painting nature, my blog can be interesting for you. Sergey Gusev, painter.
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Thank you for your visit and comment. i will explore your blog too.
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I had to google Bormes-les-Mimosas to find out where you had been. I looked at the pictures and am sure your memories of it are better than any camera pictures.
But next time keep the camera near by and make sure the batteries are up to date. 🙂
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Bormes is a beautiful little town full of secret gardens and hidden delights. It must be intolerable in the summer when tourists descend (or climb up )on it, but this time of year, few folks wander in and out,so it is a treat.
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