two dancers
set up in front of Feltrinelli book store
when we were there
they had black and white outfits
one had stripes on her skirt, the other checks
a small sound system and taps on their shoes
their music began - it was anything goes
look at them tap, tap, tap, tap, shuffle, ball-change
the second song was put the blame on mame
this was at the bus stop across from largo argentina
some people paid attention
the girls had a routine and danced away
after a few more numbers
they took their collection basket and
music system and evaporated to across the street
enjoying it, taking what coins they earned
something to do dancers, helping us all
with their tap, tap, tap,tap, shuffle, ball-change
Saturday, March 08, 2008
hear me
i’m at the age
where I begin to understand
why a man not primarily an author wrote so many books
there is always more to do
and have burnt my thumb enough
to know why church boys use
long brass stick-things to light deep candles
it pays to be careful
and i know why i’m not
like a seven year old
that pops up in the morning
and starts hopping and running around
kids can do that
i’ve done circles
and pop in the morning
so i get up sounding like someone eating
breakfast cereal out of a box
where I begin to understand
why a man not primarily an author wrote so many books
there is always more to do
and have burnt my thumb enough
to know why church boys use
long brass stick-things to light deep candles
it pays to be careful
and i know why i’m not
like a seven year old
that pops up in the morning
and starts hopping and running around
kids can do that
i’ve done circles
and pop in the morning
so i get up sounding like someone eating
breakfast cereal out of a box
Labels:
poems of life
Friday, March 07, 2008
noise
nearly gone are creaking man-pulled carts
amid narrow stone alleys
the tired depths of old roma
nearly quiet
well after midnight
a woman's clicking heels on pavement stones
tap sharp
rhythmic echoing clicks
small, light hammers on an anvil
like voices from those passing on the street
that scale the walls to windows above
and to the roof tops
then, early
in silent dawn
a small delivery truck
the size of a golf cart
starts its engine
roars, barks and sparks
loud without a muffler
limping from a storage area
under the arch, heading the other way
toward the outdoor market in piazza campo dei fiori
here, thirty yards from the arch
the sound like a chainsaw gone mad rattles our windows
people who live the way he passes
those people
those poor sleep interrupted people
i pity every market day
for roma has no ordinance
against noise
amid narrow stone alleys
the tired depths of old roma
nearly quiet
well after midnight
a woman's clicking heels on pavement stones
tap sharp
rhythmic echoing clicks
small, light hammers on an anvil
like voices from those passing on the street
that scale the walls to windows above
and to the roof tops
then, early
in silent dawn
a small delivery truck
the size of a golf cart
starts its engine
roars, barks and sparks
loud without a muffler
limping from a storage area
under the arch, heading the other way
toward the outdoor market in piazza campo dei fiori
here, thirty yards from the arch
the sound like a chainsaw gone mad rattles our windows
people who live the way he passes
those people
those poor sleep interrupted people
i pity every market day
for roma has no ordinance
against noise
Thursday, March 06, 2008
some country mile
on a rolling back road slowdown
not quite lost
we paused our car just off to the side
the air was still and nearly warm
we sat looking, talking a while
"let's get out and walk,"
she said and i nodded
enjoying the quiet woods on foot
once by a pattering stream
where sun glinted on
the tapestry of life
this dramatic natural scene
i thought
to stroll with her is always new
now and then we'd hold hands
it seemed we'd gone quite far
you are my everything,
dear partner, all the things you are
interrupting my reverie
calling me back from afar
tenderly she whimpered into my ear
"honey, where'd you park the car?
not quite lost
we paused our car just off to the side
the air was still and nearly warm
we sat looking, talking a while
"let's get out and walk,"
she said and i nodded
enjoying the quiet woods on foot
once by a pattering stream
where sun glinted on
the tapestry of life
this dramatic natural scene
i thought
to stroll with her is always new
now and then we'd hold hands
it seemed we'd gone quite far
you are my everything,
dear partner, all the things you are
interrupting my reverie
calling me back from afar
tenderly she whimpered into my ear
"honey, where'd you park the car?
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
to divulge sad facts
meri thinks i have obsessive compulsive behavior
because i take the milk off the stove before it boils
we drink italian coffee and our small apparatus makes the equivalent of two half-cups at a time
at first i used cold milk, but then meri started heating it
but we have to watch it
milk practically explodes when it boils
now i guard against that and attempt to take the milk off the stove early. meri thinks i remove it too quickly.
"i am being prudent," i explain.
"you're like jack lalanne.".
"why jack lalanne?" i asked.
"because he ties his feet to the side of the pool and does
and hour of swimming the breaststroke - everyday," she said.
i see
"it boiled one time and i wanted to prevent it from happening again."
"that's obsessive compulsive behavior!" she declared.
i call it the difference between boys and girls.
tea anyone?
because i take the milk off the stove before it boils
we drink italian coffee and our small apparatus makes the equivalent of two half-cups at a time
at first i used cold milk, but then meri started heating it
but we have to watch it
milk practically explodes when it boils
now i guard against that and attempt to take the milk off the stove early. meri thinks i remove it too quickly.
"i am being prudent," i explain.
"you're like jack lalanne.".
"why jack lalanne?" i asked.
"because he ties his feet to the side of the pool and does
and hour of swimming the breaststroke - everyday," she said.
i see
"it boiled one time and i wanted to prevent it from happening again."
"that's obsessive compulsive behavior!" she declared.
i call it the difference between boys and girls.
tea anyone?
our apartment
one apartment over
one floor up
across our tiny street
is a million dollar apartment
i can practically see in the window
only fifty feet from me and happiness
we have friends in the states who
proudly proclaimed they have a home that was never previously lived in
i bet while they built it the workers used to pee in the corner
our lousy apartment on a former worst street in roma
is over five hundred years old
back then they used to throw crap out the window
(that is a euphemism of course, i don't know what they threw, but they didn't have indoor plumbing, and the romans aren't known for their consideration)
michaelangelo, cellini and bernini could have been here in our building
and if they were, they were probably drunk
this is a former spot for gambling, drinking and a whorehouse
forty years ago even the police wouldn't walk down this street
a hundred paces away is campo dei fiori, the former execution ground
giordorno bruno was burnt at the stake by the church there
because he contradicted the church when he said the earth was not the center of our universe
that bastard
hey, sun goes up, sun goes down
and our crappy, dark, tiny apartment is still here
now on million euro row.
one floor up
across our tiny street
is a million dollar apartment
i can practically see in the window
only fifty feet from me and happiness
we have friends in the states who
proudly proclaimed they have a home that was never previously lived in
i bet while they built it the workers used to pee in the corner
our lousy apartment on a former worst street in roma
is over five hundred years old
back then they used to throw crap out the window
(that is a euphemism of course, i don't know what they threw, but they didn't have indoor plumbing, and the romans aren't known for their consideration)
michaelangelo, cellini and bernini could have been here in our building
and if they were, they were probably drunk
this is a former spot for gambling, drinking and a whorehouse
forty years ago even the police wouldn't walk down this street
a hundred paces away is campo dei fiori, the former execution ground
giordorno bruno was burnt at the stake by the church there
because he contradicted the church when he said the earth was not the center of our universe
that bastard
hey, sun goes up, sun goes down
and our crappy, dark, tiny apartment is still here
now on million euro row.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
prospero
"hello, hello, where are you from?"
he calls to the tourists to bring them closer
in english, french or german
a smattering of languages
near the center of campo dei fiori
by the statue of bruno
at times in the sun
sometime in shade
a simple long table
covered with a cloth
is set with demo vegetables for cutting into curly shapes and spires
prospero he is called
who sells small plastic novelty, yet practical cutters for vegetables
does it from a chair at his table
not from behind the table
but outside, alongside his audience
the jovial old roman
with a look of alert kindness about him
lived thirty years in the ghetto
always did laborer work
now for seven years he has been here
as i pass near i hear tourists chuckle when he blows bubbles
and puts on his entertaining presentation for them
making them laugh
he laughs with them
and enjoys the work
clean and simple
this is retirement done well
he calls to the tourists to bring them closer
in english, french or german
a smattering of languages
near the center of campo dei fiori
by the statue of bruno
at times in the sun
sometime in shade
a simple long table
covered with a cloth
is set with demo vegetables for cutting into curly shapes and spires
prospero he is called
who sells small plastic novelty, yet practical cutters for vegetables
does it from a chair at his table
not from behind the table
but outside, alongside his audience
the jovial old roman
with a look of alert kindness about him
lived thirty years in the ghetto
always did laborer work
now for seven years he has been here
as i pass near i hear tourists chuckle when he blows bubbles
and puts on his entertaining presentation for them
making them laugh
he laughs with them
and enjoys the work
clean and simple
this is retirement done well
Monday, March 03, 2008
a way
the hard part is the thing
between winter and spring
when i need to check twice
to see which coat to bring
the heavy one has a hood
and the day i removed it i started alternating
my light jacket with the hood-less heavy one
depending on how cold it is
depending on the weather
i change all my stuff from one jacket to the chosen other
bam-slam two-fisted organization is the key!
okay, so i kinda got the organization idea from meri
but then, hey, i figured it out my way!
everything gets a certain pocket
so i know where to reach for it
i get my money, coins in one pocket and folded money
i bring my phone - hopefully charged, a pen
my keys and any notes, my id, just the essentials
my bus ticket, cigarettes and lighter
then bam
out the door
on my way
i forgot my keys
what can i say
what do you mean no keys?
i'm locked out!
i was just going to the corner to get a loaf of bread
takes about a minute
meri will be coming out in three to six hours maybe
and i'm locked all the way, way out
this is worse than a couple of months ago
when i came home and didn't have my keys
and heard a voice yelling my name
it was my friend with a shop down the street
i had stopped and sat on the coach and talked a while
my keys fell out of my pocket and she saw them before i reached my locked door
this time i forgot my phone cause i just was going to the corner
meri was home on the third floor in the back room
the door buzzer for the building is broken
but i got the loaf of bread
there was no rock to throw at the window
i tried that once when i was a kid
and broke a neighbors second-story kitchen window
with a mudball that landed in my neighbor's grandmother's pie
thank god my current neighbor on the first floor looked out
saw me and let me in
this time, no problem
i got in
so when all seems lost
don't give in and don't toss rocks
between winter and spring
when i need to check twice
to see which coat to bring
the heavy one has a hood
and the day i removed it i started alternating
my light jacket with the hood-less heavy one
depending on how cold it is
depending on the weather
i change all my stuff from one jacket to the chosen other
bam-slam two-fisted organization is the key!
okay, so i kinda got the organization idea from meri
but then, hey, i figured it out my way!
everything gets a certain pocket
so i know where to reach for it
i get my money, coins in one pocket and folded money
i bring my phone - hopefully charged, a pen
my keys and any notes, my id, just the essentials
my bus ticket, cigarettes and lighter
then bam
out the door
on my way
i forgot my keys
what can i say
what do you mean no keys?
i'm locked out!
i was just going to the corner to get a loaf of bread
takes about a minute
meri will be coming out in three to six hours maybe
and i'm locked all the way, way out
this is worse than a couple of months ago
when i came home and didn't have my keys
and heard a voice yelling my name
it was my friend with a shop down the street
i had stopped and sat on the coach and talked a while
my keys fell out of my pocket and she saw them before i reached my locked door
this time i forgot my phone cause i just was going to the corner
meri was home on the third floor in the back room
the door buzzer for the building is broken
but i got the loaf of bread
there was no rock to throw at the window
i tried that once when i was a kid
and broke a neighbors second-story kitchen window
with a mudball that landed in my neighbor's grandmother's pie
thank god my current neighbor on the first floor looked out
saw me and let me in
this time, no problem
i got in
so when all seems lost
don't give in and don't toss rocks
Sunday, March 02, 2008
button fix
you talk about a heart ache
when all we do is wake up
to find another thing that doesn't work
another nail in the board of pain
something simple, to be sure
god, i hope it doesn't rain
we can't heat the water
the indicator won't light
despite pushing repeatedly
results were out of sight
the water heater button's broken
of that there's no doubt
finally, the fourth store i checked had another
we're half way to being fixed
i got a card of an electrician from the electrical store
cause we seemed to have an excess of wires
this guys has been working at the italian senate building for twelve years so he must be good
or somebody's cousin
he said he'll show up in three hours
we'll just patiently wait
hot water will be ours
practically easy
nothing is lost
we'll wait and see
how much it will cost
all we need is resolution
to keep to the road until the end
it just seems harder when your older
things take longer to mend
three hours pass and i call the guy again
his phone isn't on, but he calls back in a few minutes
he delays his arrival time and add two more hours to his estimate
so i sit down and wonder and wait, will we really have hot water
he calls and is near, i give final directions and he comes
i'm out on the street when this guy is walking down
i see him and he sees me, there is something about
the way were both looking around that we identify each other
this guy looks like a messy carpet stuffer with a coat on
i don't know what carpet stuffers look like either
but marcello fits the description
and he talks romano which is a street slang, and that gets me worried
who did i hire to do the work here in our home?
i bring him in, marcello asks my name
two minutes later when we're talking he calls me jack
and this is a big leap, cause most italians either can't say my name
or can't remember it
there are problems and he works around them
we talk and get along well
a second switch has to be changed and he does it
he improvises and easily makes things better
what a pleasant adventure to meet a new guy who is sympathetic, normal, and competent.
everything is neat
when i asked the price he said twenty. i gave him thirty and we both are satisfied.
i made a friend and so did he
when all we do is wake up
to find another thing that doesn't work
another nail in the board of pain
something simple, to be sure
god, i hope it doesn't rain
we can't heat the water
the indicator won't light
despite pushing repeatedly
results were out of sight
the water heater button's broken
of that there's no doubt
finally, the fourth store i checked had another
we're half way to being fixed
i got a card of an electrician from the electrical store
cause we seemed to have an excess of wires
this guys has been working at the italian senate building for twelve years so he must be good
or somebody's cousin
he said he'll show up in three hours
we'll just patiently wait
hot water will be ours
practically easy
nothing is lost
we'll wait and see
how much it will cost
all we need is resolution
to keep to the road until the end
it just seems harder when your older
things take longer to mend
three hours pass and i call the guy again
his phone isn't on, but he calls back in a few minutes
he delays his arrival time and add two more hours to his estimate
so i sit down and wonder and wait, will we really have hot water
he calls and is near, i give final directions and he comes
i'm out on the street when this guy is walking down
i see him and he sees me, there is something about
the way were both looking around that we identify each other
this guy looks like a messy carpet stuffer with a coat on
i don't know what carpet stuffers look like either
but marcello fits the description
and he talks romano which is a street slang, and that gets me worried
who did i hire to do the work here in our home?
i bring him in, marcello asks my name
two minutes later when we're talking he calls me jack
and this is a big leap, cause most italians either can't say my name
or can't remember it
there are problems and he works around them
we talk and get along well
a second switch has to be changed and he does it
he improvises and easily makes things better
what a pleasant adventure to meet a new guy who is sympathetic, normal, and competent.
everything is neat
when i asked the price he said twenty. i gave him thirty and we both are satisfied.
i made a friend and so did he
Saturday, March 01, 2008
autogrill
as you drive along the autostrada
ahead is a covered bridge that spans the highway
with a parking area on the right and on the left
look! it's not a bridge
it's auto grill
everyone is saved
half way to anywhere in forty countries
you'll find the multinational food and retail conglomerate
at airports and on highways
serves food to drivers
has clean restrooms
and if you go when it is not meal time in italy
it will be nearly empty
at meal time it will be packed
you pull off and park
go up two floors by stairs or an elevator
and the restaurant and store part spans the highway
nice view
want a postcard, chocolate or a small sandwich, t-shirt and coffee
you've got it
(cd's and perfume also available)
ahead is a covered bridge that spans the highway
with a parking area on the right and on the left
look! it's not a bridge
it's auto grill
everyone is saved
half way to anywhere in forty countries
you'll find the multinational food and retail conglomerate
at airports and on highways
serves food to drivers
has clean restrooms
and if you go when it is not meal time in italy
it will be nearly empty
at meal time it will be packed
you pull off and park
go up two floors by stairs or an elevator
and the restaurant and store part spans the highway
nice view
want a postcard, chocolate or a small sandwich, t-shirt and coffee
you've got it
(cd's and perfume also available)
Friday, February 29, 2008
fontana di trevi
i came out of the bank and walked left
down the street, just behind trevi fountain
pointing to the closed doors on the opposite side when i
asked a shop keeper why the engraving museum isn't open
he shrugged and said it's one block over
at the fountain i walked around the front
in 19 b.c. romans built the acqueduct
that brings water from the hills 8 miles out of roma
it actually travels 14 miles before it gets here
even water gets the run-around
in 1953 roman holiday with audrey hepburn and cary grant
brought the fountain to our attention
i had walked nearly all the way around before i looked at the fountain
after a hundred times in that square i didn't have to look right away
watching where i was going through the many tourists
kept me occupied
the middle point around i was at the church
the point of the three roads intersecting
tre vie, three roads, trevi
years ago i sat on those church steps opposite the fountain
drawing it for an hour or two
passing tour groups woke me to realize
more buses than i could recall
had entered the piazza one at a time
unloaded and reloaded and left
i looked toward the waters again
no wonder they all come
it's such a pretty fountain
down the street, just behind trevi fountain
pointing to the closed doors on the opposite side when i
asked a shop keeper why the engraving museum isn't open
he shrugged and said it's one block over
at the fountain i walked around the front
in 19 b.c. romans built the acqueduct
that brings water from the hills 8 miles out of roma
it actually travels 14 miles before it gets here
even water gets the run-around
in 1953 roman holiday with audrey hepburn and cary grant
brought the fountain to our attention
i had walked nearly all the way around before i looked at the fountain
after a hundred times in that square i didn't have to look right away
watching where i was going through the many tourists
kept me occupied
the middle point around i was at the church
the point of the three roads intersecting
tre vie, three roads, trevi
years ago i sat on those church steps opposite the fountain
drawing it for an hour or two
passing tour groups woke me to realize
more buses than i could recall
had entered the piazza one at a time
unloaded and reloaded and left
i looked toward the waters again
no wonder they all come
it's such a pretty fountain
Thursday, February 28, 2008
john and bill
we went to the post office at san silvestro
to pay the fine we got yesterday
for not paying the exit toll at the autostrada,
because the machine was broken
the post office was like a fifteenth century
first class lounge with fifty service windows
we paid the one euro fine instead of
waiting for them to increase the fine
and repossess everything we own,
i don't know about jail time
then we walked next door
to the church san silvestro in capite
meri took a picture of the head of john the baptist
about five places around the world
claim to have his head,
the place i doubt is
disneyworld in orlando - come on!
then we walked around the corner
to the cafe greco at the foot of the spanish steps
and saw a photo of buffalo bill cody
taken when he was there in 1903
here it is one hundred five years later
not only is the bar still there
but the furniture is the same
point that out to your wife the next time
she wants to do some redecorating at home
just your average day in the dis-average roma
to pay the fine we got yesterday
for not paying the exit toll at the autostrada,
because the machine was broken
the post office was like a fifteenth century
first class lounge with fifty service windows
we paid the one euro fine instead of
waiting for them to increase the fine
and repossess everything we own,
i don't know about jail time
then we walked next door
to the church san silvestro in capite
meri took a picture of the head of john the baptist
about five places around the world
claim to have his head,
the place i doubt is
disneyworld in orlando - come on!
then we walked around the corner
to the cafe greco at the foot of the spanish steps
and saw a photo of buffalo bill cody
taken when he was there in 1903
here it is one hundred five years later
not only is the bar still there
but the furniture is the same
point that out to your wife the next time
she wants to do some redecorating at home
just your average day in the dis-average roma
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
bus drivers in roma
wwhat’s the big hurry with the bus drivers?
did mommy or daddy chase them with a bus?
some of them can drive ok but don’t stop well
bad, let’s say the truth - they stop like hell
the passengers get jerked all around.
those standing spin like pole dancers
did they really pass a driving test?
who gave it to them, their girlfriend?
what's the bus man's rush all about anyway?
they have to work their shift, don't they?
if it was the number of circuits they had to make
they’d get someone to lie for them about how many
then they'd knock off early
which could be best for all
some drive well, this i must admit, and some
are kind and considerate to their passengers
there are exceptions to every rule
still others curse and drive and drool
did mommy or daddy chase them with a bus?
some of them can drive ok but don’t stop well
bad, let’s say the truth - they stop like hell
the passengers get jerked all around.
those standing spin like pole dancers
did they really pass a driving test?
who gave it to them, their girlfriend?
what's the bus man's rush all about anyway?
they have to work their shift, don't they?
if it was the number of circuits they had to make
they’d get someone to lie for them about how many
then they'd knock off early
which could be best for all
some drive well, this i must admit, and some
are kind and considerate to their passengers
there are exceptions to every rule
still others curse and drive and drool
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
obelisks
i knew what obelisks were all of my life
but until i walked in the shadow of one
and saw the intricate inscriptions that i cannot read
did i feel their strength and splender
there are 30 in the world, all from egypt
13 in roma, in egypt only seven, four standing
the ones in london and new york
used to be in roma
san giovanni's in roma
is the tallest in the world, 105 feet,
originally 140 feet
and the oldest - 15 century b.c.
a true obelisk is made from one piece of stone
so they say
washington monument is 555 feet tall
many pieces, but obelisk enough for me
in roma obelisks are impossible to avoid
easy to glance at from afar
worth seeking out
magnificent to examine
but until i walked in the shadow of one
and saw the intricate inscriptions that i cannot read
did i feel their strength and splender
there are 30 in the world, all from egypt
13 in roma, in egypt only seven, four standing
the ones in london and new york
used to be in roma
san giovanni's in roma
is the tallest in the world, 105 feet,
originally 140 feet
and the oldest - 15 century b.c.
a true obelisk is made from one piece of stone
so they say
washington monument is 555 feet tall
many pieces, but obelisk enough for me
in roma obelisks are impossible to avoid
easy to glance at from afar
worth seeking out
magnificent to examine
Monday, February 25, 2008
artists dinner
saturday all of us met for dinner
at marina's house in the country
eight robust artist types
drank wine and laughed
bread, fruit, cheese, and one oven cooked chicken
we ate and ate, enjoyed talking, and then ate more
then when we were finished
all completely well satisfied
we noticed there was chicken left over
no drugs, no miracle, how could it be?
at marina's house in the country
eight robust artist types
drank wine and laughed
bread, fruit, cheese, and one oven cooked chicken
we ate and ate, enjoyed talking, and then ate more
then when we were finished
all completely well satisfied
we noticed there was chicken left over
no drugs, no miracle, how could it be?
Sunday, February 24, 2008
anzio
we took a train an hour south to anzio
a thousand others had the same idea
had a fine seafood lunch at the lovely port
so did the thousand others
our seafood anti-pasta for two
came on fifteen different large plates
how can there still be fish in the sea?
we sure are eating a lot of it
note that everything at the anzio station is broken
and covered with more graffiti than we've seen anywhere else
the day was sunny and warm
and full of people
it's not yet spring, the tourists haven't even arrived
and they will
a thousand others had the same idea
had a fine seafood lunch at the lovely port
so did the thousand others
our seafood anti-pasta for two
came on fifteen different large plates
how can there still be fish in the sea?
we sure are eating a lot of it
note that everything at the anzio station is broken
and covered with more graffiti than we've seen anywhere else
the day was sunny and warm
and full of people
it's not yet spring, the tourists haven't even arrived
and they will
Saturday, February 23, 2008
just checking
today we rented a car, were returning it
and were ten feet from the entrance to the car rental place
on a busy street, turn signal on
twenty feet farther a group of police stood
one flagged us to pull ahead, i told meri to just turn
i waved no to the cop, we're turning in here, be sensible
"no , this is police work, drive forward and stop"
meri did what they said.
while the first cop was asking her for documents etc.
i got out of the car and asked another cop, "who's the boss?"
he was the boss
"why stop us, we were turning back there?"
"it's a car check"
"there are plenty of cars for you to check." i pointed
indeed, many others were speeding by
"where are you from?, he asked
not answering his question, i responded, "i'm a citizen of roma"
that stopped him. he didn't expect me to yell at him in italian.
and that citizen of roma stuff always works
"you know this is ridiculous," i said.
"well, this is how things are done in italy," he replied.
i said, "i know."
and that is the whole truth, your honor
and were ten feet from the entrance to the car rental place
on a busy street, turn signal on
twenty feet farther a group of police stood
one flagged us to pull ahead, i told meri to just turn
i waved no to the cop, we're turning in here, be sensible
"no , this is police work, drive forward and stop"
meri did what they said.
while the first cop was asking her for documents etc.
i got out of the car and asked another cop, "who's the boss?"
he was the boss
"why stop us, we were turning back there?"
"it's a car check"
"there are plenty of cars for you to check." i pointed
indeed, many others were speeding by
"where are you from?, he asked
not answering his question, i responded, "i'm a citizen of roma"
that stopped him. he didn't expect me to yell at him in italian.
and that citizen of roma stuff always works
"you know this is ridiculous," i said.
"well, this is how things are done in italy," he replied.
i said, "i know."
and that is the whole truth, your honor
Friday, February 22, 2008
the pantheon
marcus agrippa is credited for first building this ancient shrine
destroyed by fire in 80 a.d., built again in 125 a.d.
the oldest standing domed structure in rome
perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world
erected, destroyed, rebuilt again, it's original purpose unknown
a circular building, a temple dedicated to all the gods
and for the people, who have always come to this place
the interior a perfect circle, the diameter and height are 43 meters
inside, to the center, below the circular vaulted roof opening, called the great eye, the oculus, over 8 meters in diameter
we paused to enjoy and appreciate
meri, looking through that eye to the sky, saw a lone bird fly over
and asked how i was at reading auguri, omens, signs from the heavens
i held her and smiled
a step at a time, i have no insight into what may be
we do the best we can with what we have
slowly it keeps changing, we'll wait and see
outside to the base of a pillar on the sunny side
we sat to watch for a while
with no particular purpose in mind
two small local boys played as children have for ages
on their marble slab home turf of the pantheon
taking in the bright day
amid the quiet well-ordered mirth
still aware for whatever it's worth
that these precious moments are joys
for our brief time on earth
destroyed by fire in 80 a.d., built again in 125 a.d.
the oldest standing domed structure in rome
perhaps the best preserved building of its age in the world
erected, destroyed, rebuilt again, it's original purpose unknown
a circular building, a temple dedicated to all the gods
and for the people, who have always come to this place
the interior a perfect circle, the diameter and height are 43 meters
inside, to the center, below the circular vaulted roof opening, called the great eye, the oculus, over 8 meters in diameter
we paused to enjoy and appreciate
meri, looking through that eye to the sky, saw a lone bird fly over
and asked how i was at reading auguri, omens, signs from the heavens
i held her and smiled
a step at a time, i have no insight into what may be
we do the best we can with what we have
slowly it keeps changing, we'll wait and see
outside to the base of a pillar on the sunny side
we sat to watch for a while
with no particular purpose in mind
two small local boys played as children have for ages
on their marble slab home turf of the pantheon
taking in the bright day
amid the quiet well-ordered mirth
still aware for whatever it's worth
that these precious moments are joys
for our brief time on earth
Thursday, February 21, 2008
weather roma
on a map for italy's weather there were
eighteen suns over lazio, the region of roma
oh, look at venezia, how many suns
count 'em up, there's almost twenty
i found a four percent chance of precipitation
on a clear day, repeated every hour
the amount of winds, negligible
but mentioned frequently
a chart of projections for the day
updated in two hour increments
complete - not completely
no mention of temperature
figlio di putanna, isn't the amount of clouds
and eighteen suns over roma enough for you?
unless we tell you otherwise
weather will continue as usual
eighteen suns over lazio, the region of roma
oh, look at venezia, how many suns
count 'em up, there's almost twenty
i found a four percent chance of precipitation
on a clear day, repeated every hour
the amount of winds, negligible
but mentioned frequently
a chart of projections for the day
updated in two hour increments
complete - not completely
no mention of temperature
figlio di putanna, isn't the amount of clouds
and eighteen suns over roma enough for you?
unless we tell you otherwise
weather will continue as usual
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
iced over
a door is opened a crack
and on the back
of my neck
a cold wind pushes me
to recollect a day walking, walking
in the snow with my hands in my pockets
with my head low and nose cold
walking in the wind, in the snow
long ago
to or from somewhere
saw some friends
going to the corner store
city-old maples
fat and icy
tap their limbs upon windows
no one can let them in
puddles on the curb
round the corner
on the curve
iced over
run down the street
feet and ice meet
slide on the sheet
iced over
in the wind, in the snow
long ago
and on the back
of my neck
a cold wind pushes me
to recollect a day walking, walking
in the snow with my hands in my pockets
with my head low and nose cold
walking in the wind, in the snow
long ago
to or from somewhere
saw some friends
going to the corner store
city-old maples
fat and icy
tap their limbs upon windows
no one can let them in
puddles on the curb
round the corner
on the curve
iced over
run down the street
feet and ice meet
slide on the sheet
iced over
in the wind, in the snow
long ago
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
house
our house is your home
would you move out please
we just bought it
we made an offer on a house
in the country, an hour out of roma
the house needs attention
it’s all there, but not how we’d do it
what do we want? something else.
how do we want it? easy.
will we know it when we see it?
maybe, but don't bet on it.
globalization will do away with choice
one burger, one car, one house
why should we complain?
it’s less expensive to make it all the same
and why should it stop? with stem cell technology
one dog: part cat, part fish, part chicken
when you’re done playing with it
you can eat it
would you move out please
we just bought it
we made an offer on a house
in the country, an hour out of roma
the house needs attention
it’s all there, but not how we’d do it
what do we want? something else.
how do we want it? easy.
will we know it when we see it?
maybe, but don't bet on it.
globalization will do away with choice
one burger, one car, one house
why should we complain?
it’s less expensive to make it all the same
and why should it stop? with stem cell technology
one dog: part cat, part fish, part chicken
when you’re done playing with it
you can eat it
Monday, February 18, 2008
quick say
down at the vineria, the wine shop
from thirty feet away
i saw the waiter who has seen me several times
sitting, taking coffee with roberto at mid-day
our eyes met, he paused
recognition appeared
i raised my chin and squinted in question
he thought again and peered
he gave a quick shake no
we exchanged a few slight, rapid tilts of head and shoulders
and nods of confirmation
all was well in order
then both shrugged, turned, went about our way
this was a solid bit of communication
absolute and complete in eight seconds
here's what we had to say
i said, "hey, i know you ."
"i know you also," came his first.
"how are you doing, have you seen roberto?"
"i'm fine," he answered, "but, no, i haven't seen robert. he hasn't been around."
"okay," I said, "let him know i was looking for him if you see him."
"Will do," he answered.
"i'll be back, it was good to see you."
" yeah, you to."
"ciao."
"ciao."
from thirty feet away
i saw the waiter who has seen me several times
sitting, taking coffee with roberto at mid-day
our eyes met, he paused
recognition appeared
i raised my chin and squinted in question
he thought again and peered
he gave a quick shake no
we exchanged a few slight, rapid tilts of head and shoulders
and nods of confirmation
all was well in order
then both shrugged, turned, went about our way
this was a solid bit of communication
absolute and complete in eight seconds
here's what we had to say
i said, "hey, i know you ."
"i know you also," came his first.
"how are you doing, have you seen roberto?"
"i'm fine," he answered, "but, no, i haven't seen robert. he hasn't been around."
"okay," I said, "let him know i was looking for him if you see him."
"Will do," he answered.
"i'll be back, it was good to see you."
" yeah, you to."
"ciao."
"ciao."
Sunday, February 17, 2008
colossus
after a long bus ride out to laurentina, the suburbs
near the grande raccordo annulare, the great highway ring around roma
we relented and returned on the swift metro line b
under the pyramid,
under the old chariot race site circus maximus
below the old forum to our stop
we walked and escalatored up several flights
to encounter saturday night at fiori imperiale,
mussolini's contribution in the 1930s, a boulevard
that cuts through the forum to the center of roma
the ruins of nero's home, domus aurea on the rise behind us
before, the colosseum
behold - grandiose, invincible master of ages
modern marker of the bygone empire
tall and black against the chill of february sky
that has withstood two millenia
of wind, rain, scorching heat and cold
paraded in and shouted over
blood and prayers, beasts and gladiator
lie dormant in the sands beneath
now buses pass closely by
i saw a jet liner flying toward fiumicino airport
photos are snapped and promises have been made
under the shadow of the giant
and in the twentieth century they dug
a metro line tunnel under everything
near the grande raccordo annulare, the great highway ring around roma
we relented and returned on the swift metro line b
under the pyramid,
under the old chariot race site circus maximus
below the old forum to our stop
we walked and escalatored up several flights
to encounter saturday night at fiori imperiale,
mussolini's contribution in the 1930s, a boulevard
that cuts through the forum to the center of roma
the ruins of nero's home, domus aurea on the rise behind us
before, the colosseum
behold - grandiose, invincible master of ages
modern marker of the bygone empire
tall and black against the chill of february sky
that has withstood two millenia
of wind, rain, scorching heat and cold
paraded in and shouted over
blood and prayers, beasts and gladiator
lie dormant in the sands beneath
now buses pass closely by
i saw a jet liner flying toward fiumicino airport
photos are snapped and promises have been made
under the shadow of the giant
and in the twentieth century they dug
a metro line tunnel under everything
Saturday, February 16, 2008
today - no problem
we bought tickets for the train
it should have been easy
but train was canceled
things happen
an hour later caught a train
that went part way
stopped, waited for the next train
found a little place to eat
lunch was good, music loud
six people in the place
music enough for forty-five
did they want us to eat or dance
enjoyed the food, ate well
prices reasonable
ears sill ringing
caught our train to the country
a fine day
came back without incident
on the bus
Meri told me the ugly old
man in the silk stockings
was a woman
almost missed our stop
just another day
no problem
it should have been easy
but train was canceled
things happen
an hour later caught a train
that went part way
stopped, waited for the next train
found a little place to eat
lunch was good, music loud
six people in the place
music enough for forty-five
did they want us to eat or dance
enjoyed the food, ate well
prices reasonable
ears sill ringing
caught our train to the country
a fine day
came back without incident
on the bus
Meri told me the ugly old
man in the silk stockings
was a woman
almost missed our stop
just another day
no problem
Friday, February 15, 2008
most all asleep
when the city sleeps it can't hear me
creeping about in my pajamas
when standing by the window
i listen for it
only the clock moves
in absolute defiance
to the silence of the night
an appliance
and electrical wires
hum on for me
forever a subtext
a lone plane passes over
a car door closes
a voice down the street
fractions of the day
still awake
complete
even the cats are asleep
creeping about in my pajamas
when standing by the window
i listen for it
only the clock moves
in absolute defiance
to the silence of the night
an appliance
and electrical wires
hum on for me
forever a subtext
a lone plane passes over
a car door closes
a voice down the street
fractions of the day
still awake
complete
even the cats are asleep
Labels:
favorites
Thursday, February 14, 2008
clerks quirks
why do the grocery store clerks always ask for exact change
when the cashiers at our bread store never do?
also at the grocery store if the amount is three-ninety eight
they keep two cents and start counting back change at four
if my bill comes to nine fifty-six
the cashier will pause
look slowly into the cash drawer
wiggle around in there with her fingers five or ten minutes
talk to another employee for a while
then look up with eyes glazed and dead pan face
and ask if I have fifty-six cents
every time
i notice that if i don't move at the speed of lightening
like an old west gun slinger in the movies
she is already back in the drawer making change
the question to me was just something required by law
means nothing
if this were a movie, the director would yell cut
"ok, jack, step aside. we're bringing in a stunt man to go for the exact change. this guy is really fast, incredible."
by the time i have a few coins out to help
she is handing me change
not counting it out, just putting it on the
special plastic place that was built for change
along with my receipt
the bread store rounds off one or two cents
or loads me up with one and two cent pieces
that i carry home and put in a jar
until it's too heavy to lift
i’ve never seen an italian coin wrapper
i think they use buckets and scales
where are the oxen pulling wagons on the street
and big guys riding shot gun
ever since that guy invented the
drop ceilings that are sold all over the world
everyone is looking for another thing that can make a billion bucks and be used everywhere
that's what those change holders are at checkout counters
i expect to see those grocery clerks in their spare time
on the corner asking for change
just to keep in practice
when the cashiers at our bread store never do?
also at the grocery store if the amount is three-ninety eight
they keep two cents and start counting back change at four
if my bill comes to nine fifty-six
the cashier will pause
look slowly into the cash drawer
wiggle around in there with her fingers five or ten minutes
talk to another employee for a while
then look up with eyes glazed and dead pan face
and ask if I have fifty-six cents
every time
i notice that if i don't move at the speed of lightening
like an old west gun slinger in the movies
she is already back in the drawer making change
the question to me was just something required by law
means nothing
if this were a movie, the director would yell cut
"ok, jack, step aside. we're bringing in a stunt man to go for the exact change. this guy is really fast, incredible."
by the time i have a few coins out to help
she is handing me change
not counting it out, just putting it on the
special plastic place that was built for change
along with my receipt
the bread store rounds off one or two cents
or loads me up with one and two cent pieces
that i carry home and put in a jar
until it's too heavy to lift
i’ve never seen an italian coin wrapper
i think they use buckets and scales
where are the oxen pulling wagons on the street
and big guys riding shot gun
ever since that guy invented the
drop ceilings that are sold all over the world
everyone is looking for another thing that can make a billion bucks and be used everywhere
that's what those change holders are at checkout counters
i expect to see those grocery clerks in their spare time
on the corner asking for change
just to keep in practice
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
via cappellari
our little apartment building dates from 1500
the arch was erected about 1300
my source is an architectural historian
from john cabot here in roma
on the wall under the arch
is a sign on the wall inscribed in Latin on a marble slab
dated 1733
it says not to discard refuse under the arch
offenders risk monetary fine
and corporeal punishment
the city of Roma now puts
our refuse cans under the arch
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
abramo & zakaria
abramo is one of the waiters
he's served us several times
back by the wood oven is zakaria the older egyptian cook
i asked his name a year or two ago
complimenting him for the pizza he makes so well
both have biblical names
here in italy it used to be the law
you had to name your child after a saint
my god, now they are putting chips in people
roma is tough, they endure with patience
what desires have they for the twilight called tomorrow
we greet them, chat little, must not slow them down
they work long hours not getting wealthy
i respect these friendly fellows of another world
here colliding asteroids in city space, bump and go
we eat and go, countless tourists hardly see them
they are but a necessary convenience
zakaria said hi to me the other day at the hardware store
i didn't recognize him out place, without his cooking whites
his little hat. his pizzas are the best you know
why are egyptian cooks often the best for italian pizza
abramo is youthful, slight and quick
he will bend in the winds of time, see many changes
possessed with good spirit and force
god bless his energy
we don't look over, around or through these two
they, as we, are seeking acceptance
he's served us several times
back by the wood oven is zakaria the older egyptian cook
i asked his name a year or two ago
complimenting him for the pizza he makes so well
both have biblical names
here in italy it used to be the law
you had to name your child after a saint
my god, now they are putting chips in people
roma is tough, they endure with patience
what desires have they for the twilight called tomorrow
we greet them, chat little, must not slow them down
they work long hours not getting wealthy
i respect these friendly fellows of another world
here colliding asteroids in city space, bump and go
we eat and go, countless tourists hardly see them
they are but a necessary convenience
zakaria said hi to me the other day at the hardware store
i didn't recognize him out place, without his cooking whites
his little hat. his pizzas are the best you know
why are egyptian cooks often the best for italian pizza
abramo is youthful, slight and quick
he will bend in the winds of time, see many changes
possessed with good spirit and force
god bless his energy
we don't look over, around or through these two
they, as we, are seeking acceptance
Monday, February 11, 2008
mickey rooney
we didn't buy tickets right away
we heard he was going to be at
the state theater in sandusky, ohio
big deal, who cares, he's old
then we read it was his birthday
and we started talking about it
the night of the performance
we were pumped
went there and bought
last-minute, top balcony back, the last seats
and we knew it would happen
just as we said, the last thing in the performance
they wheeled out cake and the music began
we stood, leaned back our head, smiled
and loudly joined with everyone in the theater
and it bounced off the ceiling
filled up each row and ran down the street
that's why we went, and what we got
how many times in your life do you
get to do that?
we always will remember the night
we sang happy birthday mickey rooney
we heard he was going to be at
the state theater in sandusky, ohio
big deal, who cares, he's old
then we read it was his birthday
and we started talking about it
the night of the performance
we were pumped
went there and bought
last-minute, top balcony back, the last seats
and we knew it would happen
just as we said, the last thing in the performance
they wheeled out cake and the music began
we stood, leaned back our head, smiled
and loudly joined with everyone in the theater
and it bounced off the ceiling
filled up each row and ran down the street
that's why we went, and what we got
how many times in your life do you
get to do that?
we always will remember the night
we sang happy birthday mickey rooney
Sunday, February 10, 2008
porta blu
Alberto leads the game
He’s the core, The master who created the space
sets the rules and the pace at
his school for art
press the button, enter the place
all those seeking to climb to new lights in abstraction
gather amid music and fine company to treasure black chalk lines
or brush a bit of paint as they work
styled just right
under white light
below the streets of roma
an artist’s life is lived in experiment, chance and betterment
it only appears as chaos
until one gets the hang of it
and learns to cope with what you’ve got
time-out comes with tea and cookies
a diversion for the learned still learning new ways
among contented faces
then back to work
forgetting time until it calls
to wrap the lion heart of the artist in silence deep
where it aches to get back out
the next time
here under the street
at Porta Blu
He’s the core, The master who created the space
sets the rules and the pace at
his school for art
press the button, enter the place
all those seeking to climb to new lights in abstraction
gather amid music and fine company to treasure black chalk lines
or brush a bit of paint as they work
styled just right
under white light
below the streets of roma
an artist’s life is lived in experiment, chance and betterment
it only appears as chaos
until one gets the hang of it
and learns to cope with what you’ve got
time-out comes with tea and cookies
a diversion for the learned still learning new ways
among contented faces
then back to work
forgetting time until it calls
to wrap the lion heart of the artist in silence deep
where it aches to get back out
the next time
here under the street
at Porta Blu
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