One Thousand Violins

They walked through cities
through forests through swamps
by the time they arrived at the dessert
bare footed their group had halved.
some couldn't stand the sand

in between their toes were brought
to their knees
by a sun so paralysing
they could do no more than watch
their friends edge ever nearer.

Before reaching the mountain
they encountered a village
and were greeted by humble friends
they had never met before. Some accepted
offers of water, said they were happy

in the stream. They plunged their heads
underwater. On resurfacing, declared
they would bathe forever. The three
that remained continued
to the mountain. On reaching

the top there was the sound
of a thousand violins. They stood
and could see all that had fallen
too weary to either return
or continue. They could see

all that bathed, now wrapped
in towels, too accustomed
to the water. As the three cradled
one another the melody
of the violins quenched
their thirsts, healed

their cuts and the sky turned the colour
of their souls.