venice

between the po and the piave,

my floating city on water,

queen of the adriatic,

alder wood of no decay.

the colombina holds my visions,

inspires my words on page,

holds my mind in prison.

working naked at the window,

upon sumptuous velvet wraps,

under sparkling murano glass,

powdered, costumed, and masked.

sent to relive every carnival past,

six eyes a gaze away in gondolier,

sent with sweet baicoli,

dripping in hot chocolate,

dipped in the dark lagoon.

my hand upon the lion,

intimacies flame exploded,

flooding crowded piazza san marco.

i heard the bridge of sighs,

calling, calling, secrets drowning,

dragging luggage on cobblestone,

my spirit has found its home.

take me, take me, city of the sea.

higher up the precious goes,

on her toes her best bestows.

a dance with the doge,

let the waterline rise and fall,

my wooden boat waits for the sirens call.

sinking city take me down,

20 savi fixed in glory of the fates,

lower the ghetto gates.

rowing fast and winning the regatta,

waving from gothic floral gilt,

i make love to your arsenal,

on silk in venetian lace,

bound in italic vellum set by aldus,

stamped with the dolphin and anchor.

hasten slowly my love,

meet me on the lido.

never ever leave me again, ciao!