Stranger, In a Strange Land

Bathing in the sun

Your skin drinking in its heat,

Until it's scalding to the touch

Burning inhibitions,

Till you feel light-headed,

Almost with fever

The world cast in gold

Out of focus, dizzying in its brilliance

This exotic land, where you step out of yourself

In the first step on foreign soil

Everything is foreign here

The sky, the buildings

Even the very air

Bewitching with its heady perfumes

Where every stranger could be Gilgamesh himself

The symbol of perfection

Created by the Gods

Magnetic and compelling

He reels you in, his latest treasure

Caught so easily within his gaze

Overcome with new sensations

You remain happy to be imprisoned

At the smile which promises pleasure

You willingly leave behind,

The old life you no longer remember