Ancient olive tree at Sant Antimo monastery

The ancient olive rises
slow on its thickened base
rooting into soil of centuries
of virgin flavors

paired with vineyards
and traditional terracotta
filings of tile and statue, stone soil
signifying senses utterly unique.

No way to transplant or grow
beyond this circle of towns
where Etruscan lives left their legacy
in shards of living, cultured

long before we knew the names
of those who defended their right
to peace on lush land
against neighbor towns who tried

and failed to grow the layered depth
of flavor, life, that flourishes
unbound from these Orcian hills
under the Tuscan sun.

swb