Italy, Beautiful Italy

As we stepped off the plane near Rome,

Italy embraced us with open arms.

The Eternal City awaited us

To mesmerize us with its charms.

 

Wandering along the winding streets,

We both agreed on our journey's motto:

During our stay in Italy,

Each day MUST include gelato.

 

So many layers of history make

The city of Rome a huge museum.

I found myself thinking, "I'm glad I never

Had to fight in the Coliseum!"

 

In the beautiful Borghese we marveled at the works

Of Rubens, Caravaggio, Bernini,

Raphael, Canova,

Titian, Bassano, and Bellini.

 

The Vatican with its Sistine Chapel

Is something you do not want to miss.

And St. Peter's Basilica, as well.

Hey! Check out the guards: They're Swiss!

 

All too soon we had to leave Rome

And journey through the Tuscan hills

Topped with quaint medieval villages

And scenery so beautiful it gives you the chills.

 

Florence is really the City of David--

Davids…Davids everywhere.

Do you think the giant killer

Would be so popular if he weren't bare?

 

A few nudes here or there in art

Certainly are not pornographic.

The only obscene thing about Florence

Is the horrendous rush-hour traffic!

 

The Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo--

So much charm and grandeur to see!

But dinner with an Italian family

Was a highlight of the trip for me.

 

We HAD to stop and visit Pisa.

Come on; that must be routine.

But tell me, would we even go there

If the Tower didn't lean?

 

The Italian Riviera is gorgeous.

Santa Margherita's a delight.

Portofino, Vernazza, Comigli--

Every town is a lovely sight.

 

We briefly stopped in Verona and saw

"Juliet's balcony"--something to do.

(Of course, if you buy that one,

I've got some snake oil to sell to you.)

 

Bolzano lies at the foot of the Alps.

There almost everyone speaks

German AND Italian and in

The winter can ski on its nearby peaks.

 

The Dolomites with the rustic villas,

The snowcapped mountains, the autumn leaves…

Take it all in; enjoy the beauty.

You can get by without Rick Steves.

 

Our final stop was the city of Venice--

One of the prettiest cities of all--

With winding canals, narrow passageways,

And little room for urban sprawl.

 

St. Mark's Square, old palazzi,

Cathedrals, music, museums, art.

It's almost an insurmountable task

To list its wonders; where do you start?

 

Burano--a little island near Venice--

Basks in its charming, colorful glory.

All of the houses are brightly painted.

(I'd tell you why, but it's a long story.)

 

You can't talk about Italy without

Mentioning the fabulous food and wine.

For me--still--pasta and gnocchi

Are my favorites when I dine.

 

We traveled with a group of marvelous people

From New England to the Southwest.

Lisa, our leader, was an amazing

Font of knowledge; we were impressed.

 

As dilettante photographers traveling in Europe,

We're very lucky that we weren’t purists:

In practically EVERY photo I took

In Italy there are scores of tourists!

 

Dodging tourists on the streets of Rome

Or in small towns or the alleys of Venice

Grew quite frustrating after a while.

Don't the Italians find us a menace?

 

And selfies! Please, that's out of control.

Some tourists have to put their mug

In EVERY damn photo that they take!

Oh, well…all I can do is shrug.

 

Life has its trade-offs. Yes, I know:

You take the bad with the good.

You MUST not let the crowds stop you

From enjoying Italy. Understood?

 

And so you bite the bullet and venture

Off to see the world. Just know

That ALL of your travels make you YOU:

All of your experiences make you grow.

 

Italy, we’ll say NOT addio,

But arrivederci; we’ll be back again.

In the meantime my wonderful memories

Will stir me every now and then.

 

(10-30-15)