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Spring on the Algarve is the loveliest time of year, with a freshness and warmth in the air before the scorching summer sun shrivels everything up. Today’s Everyday Lovely is a poem by my godmother, Mavis Carter about spring in the Algarve, in Portugal. I hope the poem brings you the promise of spring sunshine on your face, as it did for me.

Algarve spring
Somewhere among umbrella pines
my first cuckoo of the year -
almond trees in the wind
and white marguerites in black shade.

Here, men shape clay around their thigh
cut it to size, test between thumb and finger.

Motor bikes stutter along the road
to Santa Caterina, head for markets;
barking dogs, cockerels, sheep on trucks,
goats tethered to fence posts.

Tiles fired in orange kilns, are stacked
row on row. Men, red with dust, rough handled.

Orchards heavy with oranges
thick with juice. I pick one
hold it in my palm
and slowly breathe in.

 Everyday Lovely is hosted over at Teacher Meets World and is about celebrating those everyday things that make us alive, like the scent of sun-warmed oranges and wind-blown almond blossom.

Algarve Spring comes from Mavis Carter’s latest collection of poetry, Spilt Salt.

Photo credits:Valter Jecinto, Marek Edelman,  Daeveb, Valter Jacinto.

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