September and October, 2008
|
|
VENICE BY EARLY MORNING
Orange paper lanterns
torn down by last night’s thunderstorm
melt on the pavement.
Under the arcades in San Marcos Piazza,
the sleepers dream of how they danced to the orchestra
still playing in their heads.
In low tones at the end of the bridge,
two gondoliers discuss the festival.
All the shops are locked and dark.
Third story shutters remain cracked open.
On top of blankets and sheets
bodies lie in sculptured poses.
Street sweepers with brushwood brooms
clean cobblestones, unaware that a bloated cat
floats in the Grand Canal.
Nailed to a wall, a small shrine
holds one fresh rose
by a picture of the Madonna and child.
Back at San Marcos Piazza, a pigeon seed vendor
sets up her cart, until forty soldiers armed with rifles
march into the square.
The sergeant shouts. All his men salute
and hold the pose, while flag bearers simultaneously raise
the colors of Italy, Venito, and Venice on three poles.
After the soldiers march away, tourists scatter
as do the pigeons. The bells in the tower chime nine,
and the morning begins with coffee.
| |
"Venice by Early Morning" published in Z Miscellaneous.
|
|
|
