Artwalk POETRY and ART

Wish You Were Here

by train from Florence
through poppy-dotted hills
and sentinel pines
suddenly the view is all water
expected but still thrilling
outside the station
the sidewalk a dock
where varied watercraft
await passengers

clutching instructions
we seek the vaporetto
that floats us to our destination
rolling on The Grand Canal
familiar post-card images
blaze beyond Kodak colour
amazed that passengers
can read a newspaper
send a text or chat
oblivious to this splendour

on disembarking
we’re lost in a maze
meandering streets
curve and rise as bridges
wheeled luggage
bumps along the cobbles

locals and tourists
shout confusing advice
we finally find our B&B
a sign says it’s now unlawful
to serve breakfast
we will have to make do
with just a B

in the morning
we step outside
ankle deep in water
our landlady offers rubber boots
for this common occurrence
we trudge comically
to find a cafe
for croissants and cappuccino

exotic shops tempt
with Murano glass
Burano lace
bejewelled masks for carnivale
rainbow scarves
butter-soft leather

stripe-shirted gondoliers
ply their poles
shout and sing
in guidebook caricature
speciale for you signoras!
we succumb
ensconced on cushions
pose for requisite photo ops
glide under a fabled Italian sky
classic painters’ paradise

a poster invites
“Tonight - The Four Seasons”
later amazed in a gilded hall
we share the rapture
Vivaldi in Venice
wigged musicians resplendent
in Baroque silks and satin
bravo! bellisimo!