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Hidden Beauty

SEA DAFFODILS On the island of Comino Naked rocks are burning hot, Without mercy, sun at midday Robs the shade from every spot. It’s a bare desolate area, Here the snakes are free to crawl, Lazy lizards meditating Where the gnarled wild bushes sprawl. I trudge on towards the inlet Drawn by water cyan blue; It’s deserted and inviting For it’s known only to few. I arrive and there to greet me On dry sand a wondrous sight I behold, sensual, alluring Virgin flowers dressed in white. ---------------------------------------- *Comino is one of the islands that form the Maltese Archipelago. ---------------------------------------- 22nd January, 2015 Contest: Hidden Beauty Sponsor: Rhonda Johnson-Saunders Placed: 2nd

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Robert Lindley

Date: 2/15/2015 1:34:00 PM

My friend I went right along with you during that journey to that beautiful location. Inspiring imagery and all. A solid 7 from me..

Paul Callus
Date: 2/15/2015 2:20:00 PM

Glad you came along as well Robert! I was hoping that all my readers would have done the same:) Thank you for the high rating. All the best. // paul

Skat A

Date: 2/15/2015 10:52:00 AM

Paul, Congratulations on the win. *Skat *

Paul Callus
Date: 2/15/2015 12:17:00 PM

Many thanks Skat; lovely to have you stopping by. All the best. /x/ paul

John Fleming

Date: 2/11/2015 9:46:00 PM

This is a nice compact poem, Paul. Reminds me of Robert frost. Full of strong imagery and vibrant colour...really quite lovely! :-) john.

Paul Callus
Date: 2/15/2015 12:14:00 PM

Thank you for the lovely compliments John! With comments like this one you're welcome on my page any time, my friend:)) All the best. // paul

Seren Roberts

Date: 2/6/2015 12:40:00 PM

Paul it sounds an idyllic place, well done...Seren

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 8:10:00 AM

Oh, yes, it is Seren! Glad I managed to transmit that feeling! All the best. // paul

Carol Mays

Date: 2/6/2015 8:10:00 AM

Paul--Lovely, uplifting poem. Must have been great to be there. Thanks for sharing the experience with us. Carol

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 7:22:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by with lovely comments, Carol. Since I found that spot I have visited every year, and have never been disappointed! All the best. // paul

Mohan Chutani

Date: 2/6/2015 12:50:00 AM

Paul, away from the maddening crowds, Camino island, lucidly described by you, seems a tempting offer to visit, despite snakes and all. Congrats. Mohan

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 8:02:00 AM

So glad you enjoyed, Mohan! Comino is beautiful because it manages to retain its natural attributes; as for snakes, only a few harmless ones live there:) All the best. // paul

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/5/2015 7:30:00 AM

Congratulations Paul. This is a number one for me. So happy it is high on the winner's list.

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 7:31:00 AM

You are lovely and kind, Connie. Thank you for the congrats and nice comments. Hope you're having a lovely weekend. hugs // paul

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 2/4/2015 8:40:00 PM

Thank you for taking me there with you! Put up a pic of the flower? Congrad's Light & Love

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 7:51:00 AM

Glad you walked in my footsteps, Debbie! Pity I can't put up a picture....I'm just a mere member (a pea in the soup!) and not entitled to upload picts.:) Have a nice weekend. // paul

Sandra Haight

Date: 2/4/2015 8:22:00 PM

Hi Paul, stopping back to congratulate you on your nice 2nd Place for your beautiful poem! Sandra

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 7:19:00 AM

Thank you Sandra; your hidden beauty served you well....placing at no 1!!! All the best. // paul

Verlena S. Walker

Date: 2/4/2015 7:14:00 PM

Congratulations on your high marks Paul for this beautiful entry! Verlena

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 8:08:00 AM

...and thank you for re-visiting...I appreciate it:)

Paul Callus
Date: 2/7/2015 8:06:00 AM

Thank you Verlena; glad you found it to your liking. Have a lovely weekend. // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 2/4/2015 1:53:00 PM

My earliest comments I re-echo here Paul.. :D Congratulations!!! DINNER!DINNER! DINNER! :D

Paul Callus
Date: 2/4/2015 3:34:00 PM

Thank you Olive_eloi:) I just realized that a pizza was on offer down below:) I think I'll opt for dinner, since my favourite Pinoy chef will be cooking!!:) lots of hugs // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser
Date: 2/4/2015 1:55:00 PM

hahahahaha!

Jan Allison

Date: 2/4/2015 11:26:00 AM

I can't wait to visit Paul:-) Many congrats on your win:-) Hugs jan xx

Paul Callus
Date: 2/4/2015 1:25:00 PM

Hope you will get your holiday sorted out! Looking forward to meeting you in person again:) Thank you for the congrats; will visit the winners later on....busy with my "Forgive me, Natasha" translation which should be published in March. hugs // paul

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 2/2/2015 12:48:00 AM

Oh Paul, the way you weave your words in this lovely romantic piece just leaves me breathless! This is going straight into my favorites. I may copy it to reread any time I need an injection of inspiration. This poem is heavenly and shows what a truly gifted poet you are my friend!7+

Paul Callus
Date: 2/3/2015 12:32:00 PM

You are too kind, Connie!! But I am pleased that you found this poem much to your liking and find it inspiring. Incidentally that's how most of your poems affect me! :) Thank you my dear friend. // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/26/2015 6:52:00 PM

oh, I would just love to see it up close and personal. I am sure even pictures do not do it justice. Wonderful, Paul.

Paul Callus
Date: 1/27/2015 12:25:00 PM

So pleased with your reaction, Andrea; glad that you found this to your liking! Comino is a lovely little island...still lucky to retain its natural attraction. // paul

Cherl Dunn

Date: 1/25/2015 7:46:00 PM

Wow love how you have done this work in the beginning it sounds so dry and hot but all of a sudden it turns into a hidden paradise, great blending to burst into the virgin flowers dressed in white love these lines, simply a pleasure to read this Paul, I will be back to read this one of your again, cheri

Paul Callus
Date: 1/26/2015 6:37:00 AM

Hi Cherl! I am delighted by the insightful comments about this write....you express exactly what I had in mind!! ...and I am pleased that you found it to your liking. Thank you! All the best. // paul

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 1/25/2015 5:34:00 AM

Having visited Malta and living in Greece and having seen may rocky Greek islands with serpents and all, I know very well what you are describing dear, Paul! However, people living in the North this is a fascinating and accurate description! Beautiful as the blue sea of Malta ( Honey!)

Paul Callus
Date: 1/25/2015 12:12:00 PM

Thank you Demi! I still have to visit Greece or any of its islands, but all my friends who have been there come back with positive comments. We are lucky to live in the Mediterranean! Oh yes...honey...famous since the days of the Romans! All the best my friend. // paul

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser

Date: 1/25/2015 4:37:00 AM

take a pic and share it Paul.. :) I know you can.. :) such beauty in your words and weeee i wanna see it real.. :)!

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser
Date: 1/26/2015 2:50:00 AM

Wahhh so sorrrrrry Paul.. :(! Embarrassing!!! So sorry a pizza for you!:P

Paul Callus
Date: 1/25/2015 12:31:00 PM

Hi Olive_eloi...this little island is a beauty in its very simplicity...and those sea daffodils do grow there, where one least expects to see them. hugs // paul aka JAmes:)

Nathan D.

Date: 1/25/2015 3:07:00 AM

that is a very cool write. it has great rythem and flow as well as great imagery. I love the line "robs the shade from every spot." its creative lines like that that are hard to find these days.

Paul Callus
Date: 1/25/2015 12:26:00 PM

Thank you for the insightful comments, Nathan....very much appreciated. All the best. // paul

Arthur Vaso

Date: 1/24/2015 11:10:00 PM

This only increases my desire to visit there, great poem!

Paul Callus
Date: 1/25/2015 12:28:00 PM

I am sure that you wouldl find ample material to feed your inspiration if you were to visit Malta, Arthur! Thanks for stopping by. // paul

Constance La France

Date: 1/24/2015 3:57:00 PM

Paul, your poem is so beautiful, I felt I was right there with you, so visual, truly this is hidden beauty, best of luck in the contest, I want to write something also and thanks for visiting my poetry ~~

Paul Callus
Date: 1/24/2015 4:15:00 PM

So lovely to have you stopping by, Constance! Your presence here is always welcome. I am pleased that you like this little hidden beauty, and hopefully you too now are inspired to tackle the same theme:) All the best. // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/24/2015 7:57:00 AM

- Beautifully written ..... a beauty to experience - Good luck in conest - I wish you a lovely weekend, Paul - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Paul Callus
Date: 1/24/2015 8:15:00 AM

Thank you Anne Lise...I am pleased that you enjoyed my hidden beauty:) A lovely weekend to you too! hugs /x/ paul

Verlena S. Walker

Date: 1/23/2015 6:42:00 PM

beautifully written Paul... Verlena

Paul Callus
Date: 1/24/2015 8:04:00 AM

Once again, thank you Verlena; enjoyed your multiple visits today....very much appreciated! // paul

Jan Allison

Date: 1/23/2015 2:21:00 PM

I hope to visit on our next trip Paul - sounds like heaven to me:-) Hugs Jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 1/23/2015 2:51:00 PM

We are hoping for October again:-) I just need permission from work:-) Hugs Jan x

Paul Callus
Date: 1/23/2015 2:48:00 PM

I will take you there, as long as you don't mind a boat trip! These flowers bloom from August through to October mostly, when the temperature is hottest, and they survive in the dry sand, just a few yards away from the water. First time I saw them I was more than impressed. I prefer the inlet that I refer to to the blue lagoon which is always crowded. hugs // paul

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/23/2015 11:47:00 AM

Paul, I love your hidden beauty of the wild and barren area with cyan blue water and virgin flowers dressed in white...sounds so lovely, just like your poem. Best wishes for the contest. Sandra

Paul Callus
Date: 1/23/2015 12:39:00 PM

You have a way with words Sandra!:) I love it! Thank you for stopping by quite regularly...usually only angels do:) All the best. // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 1/23/2015 6:05:00 AM

Ahh!! Very expressive and descriptive work..I enjoyed reading this one today..I could just picture this spot..Reads like a winner to me..Way to go..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 1/23/2015 12:36:00 PM

Always keen to read more of your lovely poetry, Sara:) Thank you for reading mine and for your appreciated support. All the best. // paul