When in Rome

Roman Holiday

27.12.02 – 3.1.03

Like Hepburn and Peck
It’s our ‘Roman Holiday’
Second honeymoon trek!

*

Speaking with gestures
And an operatic tongue
– Italiano!

*

Time to do nothing
It’s ‘dolce far niente’
– Delicious idleness!

*
Rome Kerb Drill

Firstly, find a Nun
Wait close by her right hand side
Don’t cross till she’s begun!

*

Fast cars, horns blaring
Look left, right and left again
Then walk, not caring!

*

Eternal city
Filled with ghosts of Old Masters
Living history

Raphael, Bernini
MichelAngelo, Caravaggio
– Waiting in shadows

*  

Colosseum

Theatre of Blood
Sinister killing machine
A dark Colossus

Jawdropping structure
Architectural marvel
Wonder of the world!

*

In crumpled blankets
Wretched shop doorway creatures
Sleeping motionless

 *

A dreadful demise
Pitiful rag bag on crutches
Soulful, begging cries

*

Normal holiday refrain
Stair rods bouncing off our brain
We’re three drowned rats again

 *

Brellymen calling
Street seller entrepreneurs
Touting for business

Brellies? Dark glasses?
Stocked for fine and wet weather
And hedging their bets

*

Bocca della Verita

Honesty and Truth
Open mouth or Drain cover?
One reply required

*

A sidestreet café
Strong Espresso or Latté
Revival assured

*

Trevi Fountain

Eyes bright, bulbs flashing
Excited screams, throatlashing
Smiles beam, 3 coins splashing!

*

Greeting the New Year on the Ponte Sisto

Dark canvas with pearls
Fleeting moments of beauty
Fireworks at midnight

*

With a shaking voice
Frail figure at a window
Speaking to the world     1.1.04

*

A Face at the Window

A figure in white
Trembling voice, a shaking head
A New Year message     1.1.04

*

Taste explosion!
Such a different texture!
Not ice cream – Gelati!

*

Visiting the Vatican Museums

Waiting with patience
Shuffling snake of umbrellas
Queueing in silence

*

The Sistine Chapel
Head back. Eyes wide. Mouth open.
No words needed!

*

Living museum
An unrivalled collection
Where treasures abound

Paintings and Sculpture
Architectural glories
History on tap!

Danger! I’m drowning
A cultural overload
So much to swallow!

*

Penetrating eyes
A calm, confident posture
Pope Innocent X

*

Pantheon pigeons
Hungry low flying sky rats
Tormenting tourists

*

By 26 Piazza di Spagna – John Keats’ last home

Strangers at sunset
Sauntering spectators
Chill on Spanish Steps

*

Rome still casts its spell
A group of teenage students
Enter their hotel

Adored and admired
Another generation
Impressed and inspired

One response to “When in Rome”

  1. I am still to find how to do – ‘dolce far niente’. However twice in Rome twice with you and once with the other love of our lives!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *