Saint Peter’s Basilica, Published: Mare Nostrum, Feb 2015

Open Square

Open Sky

Abbraccio from above

Squeeze through entrance

Climb stairs

Around and around the open spiral

Roof top open

To below

Narrow walls

Confuse the mind

Smaller and smaller

The walls lean in

Stop to rest 

Catch your breath

Slow the heart

Push on through

Tighter and tighter

Climb the rope

Dizzying circles

Near the top

In a dreamy haze

The city opens

Far above

Squint to see the ground

Humbled by the distance

 

 

Postcard Poem

Dove mi trove da?

Perché sono qui?

Dove posso andare da qui?

 

Io sono qui per mi

            Non è facile

Però

Colui che va aventi ed

Indica la via da seguire

Tutto Ben!

Tutto Ben!

 Translation : 

Where did I come from?

Why am I here?

Where am I going from here?

 

I am here for me

It is not easy

But

 

I follow the path I know is right

One that others will follow

 

All is well!

All is well!

 

 

Adventures with Acrophobia

Float above pulsating air

Fear arrests my feet

Musty rock dusts the hand

Light echoes along the stone

Feet hug the safe wall

 

Blue laughter paints the room

 Red sings of the joyous history

White whispers of elegance

Cautious feet shuffle across the floor

 

Moist air percolates with

Memories of a distant past

 

 

Exile

A flash of lighting bursts

Across the angry sky and

A rumble of thunder shakes

The earth and yet I

Do not fear it.

But it brings me sorrow

My home bids me

Adieu.

Or at least my once beloved home.

No that is not quite right

In my heart it

is still my home,

but I am no longer

welcome

Exiled to a home that is not my own

I do not fear the thunder

I do not find any adventure in starting anew

As I once thought I would

All I see is

The fury that shuns me away

Judge Judge

My body is unique.  The words upon my forearm remind me that everything is alright

out of respect for myself and someone I lost.  

When I am a professional environment I am forced to cover up

my identity.

Why should I have to hide who I am?

 

My body is a temple. The ring upon my finger reminds me to Choose The Right

And show respect to myself and others

When I am among other Christians I feel the need to cover my ring,

my identity.

Why should I have to hide who I am?

 

My body is               .              reminds me

When I an among strangers

respect to myself and others

my identity

                                    hide who I am

 

Aves Baccivorous

He holds on tight to the green with his feet

When he moves it moves

snap the red with his jaw.

 

The taste gives warms to his belly.

Before it was only brown that touched his feet

A flutter close by

Turn to see the one who used to feed him

 

A flick of my feet and I am free

Her closeness is confining

The separation makes that world seem smaller

 

The one who use to bring me food calls to me

Her music shows her concern.

White invades, pointed, sharp, and wet like the salty sea air

Another green they must leave and never return to.

Forgotten

Framed by a window

Light of a lamp

reveals a warm bed

made of fine wood

No longer fit for me

 

A price tag too high

My eyes spy a night

painted on a wall.

Tranquility fades

 

Every star surrounded by navy blue

Stars of lemon yellow,

Of white, and baby blue.

A rustic rundown boat distorts the scene

 

Remembered night

A tattered dress once gave anxious delight

Great anticipation for a long awaited night

Once covered arms of pale white

 

My hands hide the deep angry purple

Their size too small to conceal it all

Beauty taken

Replaced with an ugliness I never knew

 

rejected by my old world

I cannot go back

But if it weren’t for this world

There would have been no need for my rejection

 

Quickly the light vanishes

And returns

A man appears

I have no money to find rest

 

I turn to walk away

I must find warmth elsewhere.