the first saturday of the month the italian senate is open for visitors
we waited in line forty-five minutes in light rain
this former residence where the government works
is palazzo madama
built upon the ancient baths of nero
the palace was completed in 1505 for the medici family
two medici cardinals who later became popes lived here
the painter caravaggio worked and lived here for five years
the large stone structure was redone again in 1650
four stories with hundreds of rooms
the enterior is elaborate, ornately decorated in the period and splendid
both government houses meet and many have their offices here
the corridors are long, the ceilings high and ornate
impressive is the large chamber where the senate convenes
we saw it from above in the audience gallery
that chamber is on the tv news every week
it was a nice change of pace to be in the seat of the government
all we had to do was wait patiently in a light rain
what i mean is
talking with egos
nearly the same, isn’t it
to review (and avoid confusion)
eggos were some artificial egg food
leggos are toys to build with
and egos are yet to be determined as to function
although i am quite sure it has
something to do with artificial intelligence
the paris metro to charles de gaulle
packed like i’ve never seen
barely had space to stand
ibid.a.
we got on the metro
just barely cause it was packed
i don’t like to say, but it’s true
we were that old expression
packed like canned fish
it was rush hour and we were rushing
to the airport
those poor people who do it everyday
are at their limit
there are too many of us
at the airport we got in easily
ibid.b.
saw a couple of old farts
standing outside smoking
before entering the terminal
don’t they know better?
how in the hell do they
expect to live forever?
our flight was delayed
the number of people in the waiting area
was more than i’ve ever, ever seen
i went down to the restroom
entered the air france first class lounge
had a fine coffee
pocketed a set off cookies to share with meri
took off late
sat by the window and heard people ooohh
when we flew over the alps
the lady in front of me took about
eight flash photos into the sun
before she turned off the flash
i then saw the L-like where land went west to france and south to italy and roma
coming in we circled around roma
the vatican stood up like an ice cream cone
then we swung over the turquoise med
came in and landed
this morning at nine we left for the airport in paris
at five p.m. we were in our roma apartment
it took nine hours for a less than two hour flight
the eagle has landed
and will sleep in his own bed tonight
a lot to see
style and art abounds in this city paris
from the top of the arc de triomphe there is quite a view
i’m dipping my morning toast in coffee
thinking about it
initial plans were sketchy but we happened to be
there on the street when the taxi showed up with
my one-time little kid now with a family of his own
everyone has grown
saw, walked, laughed and talked for a couple of days
we flew in, we fly out
they go on their way
while time is always flying
happened so fast
down some city street
a lady hurridly walking by
dropped her reading glasses
seemed to throw them nearly at my feet
as she quickly stopped
bent and reached to retrieve them
she kicked them a little
so they skidded a few feet
back up then kneeling a second time to pick them up
noticing i saw it all
she looked toward me
and half-smiled self consciously
at the impromptu comedy of errors
leisurely viewing the city
coming back from versailles
the bus stopped several times
some people left, while some arrived
still others scampered to change seats
moving like mice in a maze
until all were satisfied
what we had this morning
was a scenic nice ride
two young daughters
charged for travel
kept up with four adults
or we kept up with them
through the d’Orsay museum
yes, the art is great
but so is the most interesting building
then to sacre coeur, mont martre
up and down the metro stairs
so many times, how did they do it?
i know we climbed
three eiffel towers worth
not a whimper, conflict or complaint all day
but unaccustomed to minding the store
the quiet little voices burnt our candles at both ends
one for each of them
back at six p.m.
to take a nap, that’s us
while mom and dad hold the fort
the kids are still going strong
got up early
slowly taking our time
decided not to rush
we’re here, all is fine
after breakfast we began to search for what means paris
out there
larger than we knew
got into it, walked, bused
and the city kept up with us, kept sprawling
so clean, elegant and alive
it does move along
like the rapid seine goes through it
with not buses enough
or artists enough
to paint the whole collage
stately, fluid in motion
needed a mime like marcel marceau
to interpret a bit
how paris is
depends which table you get
if the sun’s in you eyes
or the towers at your back
flew to paris today
under two hours from roma
took longer to and from the airports
missed lucky lindy by eighty-one years
well, didn’t miss him
never knew the guy
lindy was years ahead
but wait, i’m still checking it out
