The Emperor Constantine’s mother, St. Helena
had Pontius Pilate’s steps
brought to Rome in the year 326 AD
a documented version of archaeological theft.
Now reinstalled across the Piazza
from Sans Giovanni in Laterano,
the church of popes.
No human foot may touch
- the 28 white marble risers
– the Scala Santa
wooden boards installed above,
grooves worn deep by pilgrims
who ascend on their [...]
Archive for the ‘Italy’ Category
Sancta Sanctorum
Posted in An Italian Spring, Italy, Rome, Sancta Sanctorum, tagged writing, poetry, poems, poets, places, belief, introspection, reflection, faith, Italian Spring, Italy, Italia, Rome, Rome Italy, nun, nuns, Pope, Holy Father, Chapel, St. Lawrence, Sancta Sanctorum, Holy of Holies, cleaning, Chapel of St. Lawrence, Piazza di Sans Giovanni in Laterano, Sans Giovanni in Laterano, Pontias Pilate, Scala Santa, Emperor Constantine, St. Helena on June 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Lady with Bumps on her Head
Posted in An Italian Spring, Italy, The Lady with Bumps on her Head, tagged beggars, begging, Campo de' Fiori, charity, compassion, Italia, Italian Spring, Italy, mothers, places, poems, poetry, poets, Rome, writing on June 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This is the sixteenth poem in a series called “An American and an Italian Spring” chronicling a spring trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
Campo de’ Fiori was bustling
in the bright springtime sun.
Maneuvering through the tent booths
of the Italian farm market
this Medieval fair
provides color and excitement—
fresh fruit, nuts,
and a festive bright pink “Ciao Bella” t-shirt
for my [...]
Travel with Someone You Love
Posted in An Italian Spring, Italy, Journal of Life, Travel with Someone You Love, tagged friendship, Italia, Italian Spring, Italy, loneliness, love, poems, poetry, poets, travel, writing on June 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This is the sixth poem in a series called “An Italian Spring” chronicling a spring trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
No matter …
the beauty in nature’s pristine treasured sites.
how the twisting path along the rock face
leads to breathtaking vistas.
No matter …
the grandeur of the treasured art of masters,
archeology sites where [...]
Talking in Bed
Posted in An Italian Spring, Italy, Journal of Life, Talking in Bed, tagged introspection, Italia, Italian Spring, Italy, love, poems, poetry, poets, talking, writing on May 29, 2009 | 1 Comment »
This is the fifteenth poem in a series called “An Italian Spring” chronicling a spring trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast.
Vacations are perfect for laying
and talking in bed.
Relationship reinvigoration.
Back home
beds are for sleeping
or making love when we are not too tired.
Back home
beds are for guilt trips in the morning.
We would not be caught in [...]
La Ragazza (The Girl) Behind the Tent Flap
Posted in An Italian Spring, Italy, Journal of Life, La Ragazza (The Girl) Behind the Tent Flap, tagged child, Croce Rossa Italiana, death, disillusion, dreams, earthquake, earthquakes, fear, homeless, hope, introspection, Italia, Italian Spring, Italy, L'Aquila, loneliness, poems, poets, terremoto, writing on May 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The tragedy of an earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy over Easter prompted this poem.
She peered out from behind the blue tent flap.
Just ten-years-old, her world had changed.
A bitter spring cold
a blue pull-over Croce Rossa Italiana knitted hat
a white ski jacket
with a brilliant red execution post, with cross–bar, as the breast plate
and a hood.
A young Pionieri stands [...]
