Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Traveller's Guide: Crossing the Ponte Sisto in Rome, It.

Directions

Shortcuts all start
here on the middle of the Sisto.
At either end, the
turn is made.
On the peaked cobblestone squares that
roughly thrust these leather shoes, that
send the morning walker directly forward:
On the crest of this arch
the mind whirs in
all
directions.
The plane flight direct;
the mental soar a daze.
A landing point at the other end sends the walker
hurtling
off through curves of
alleyways of
the city of
Rome.
The mind whirs again
as the body bends
as the two try to track
one another among
curving sidestreets and find themselves
somewhere new.

Monumental Structures

The local basilica, House of Modern Law, is a sight
not to see.
The debated sit on the ground.
They weave strings, char cobs, arrange their many wares.
They watch as
every single
person
that walks by glances and
pretends not to.
This is the silent debate:
share a coin now or
reserve it for later.
Even if that later
never comes.
Which will help more?
The debated sit in patience.

Geography

It is common to look over the rail in the night and see
the Tiber River, glimmering there.
In the night time, the lights glimmer
green and red (even though it is summer) and
down below
the Roman ho-down stomps along in Florentine cowboy boots,
music hurrying the pace of the embarrassed American above.
In the night time, it is more common
to look over the edge; it is
less common to see
a reflection,
reflecting
yet on the expected face below.
Among the floating lights
glimmering on the curves of the waves
the gaze strikes
seeks to draw thick waters to
drink to
absorb to
hold and understand.
All the while the glimmering gaze chases, it chases
itself.

Cuisine

Beverages available
with a squeeze of lemon since
Brazilians are included too.
After refreshments,
the apartment filled with
instruments awaits:
guitars, voices
toothpick holders and beaded shakers
a hollowed chest, a palm, two snapping fingers.
If you are smart, you'd best avoid this.
If you are lost already
you'll know
the best way to find the way home
is to wander somewhere that looks different but
smells of your doorstep
and get lost again.

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