We got more poetry than we bargained for: br Poetry as per the programme; br Poetry under the Plane trees; br Poetry conjuring other places, br Other times, br Other insights br Through other eyes. br br Yes, all that and more br As the soft, stone façade br Glowed the warm jaune-crème br Of a quiet understanding br Borne of generations of learning, br And, en face, br Upstart acres of glass br Glowered back their pretensions br With an assurance br Only the arrogance of youth may afford. br br Between these battle lines, br Oblivious to their meagre histories and vanities, br Nature was quietly busy br Writing her elegant, eternal poetry br Upon the wind br In fresh, green symphony, br Strolling and stroking its way br Through the forest on my forearms, br Stealing me away from listening, br To writing: br Recording the history of the briefest of moments br Perhaps no-one else noticed. br br More than I bargained for too. br br Stephanos, thank you.