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!
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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!
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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
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A dreadful demise
Pitiful rag bag on crutches
Soulful, begging cries
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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
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A sidestreet café
Strong Espresso or Latté
Revival assured
*
Trevi Fountain
Eyes bright, bulbs flashing
Excited screams, throatlashing
Smiles beam, 3 coins splashing!
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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!
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Visiting the Vatican Museums
Waiting with patience
Shuffling snake of umbrellas
Queueing in silence
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The Sistine Chapel
Head back. Eyes wide. Mouth open.
No words needed!
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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!
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Penetrating eyes
A calm, confident posture
Pope Innocent X
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Pantheon pigeons
Hungry low flying sky rats
Tormenting tourists
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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
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