Bologna

Bologna is well known for its arcades, which are an intergal part of the arcitecture here. According to my Footprint Guidebook, there 44 kilometers of arcades, not including modern arcades in rebuilt areas. Walking under them makes for a fascinating journey watching for the changing styles along the way. 

Arrivaderci Firenze

Today was our last day in Florence. We spent the morning at the Uffizi, which has some of my favorite art of all times. Maybe it was the crowds of tour groups tramping through that got to me, but I was peeved about people taking pictures of the paintings instead of actually looking at the art. Do we have to see the entire world through our iPhones and cameras? Of course, ironically, there I was taking photos with my phone of people taking photos.

Firenze Poem

 At Feral Mom, Feral Writer, my friend, Tania Pryputniewicz just wrote about a wonderful morning we spent together in Calistoga, and has challenged me to write a Z poem. Here in Florence it seems a lovely thing to do. Thank you, Tania. 

For Tania From Italy

Here z's 

are everywhere:

Firenze

scamorza

pizzeria

palazzo

zabaglione 

Piazza della Stazione

Via Panzini

San Lorenzo

Uffizi

Rizzo

They fly from my mouth,

zip through the air

like chimney swifts

circling the great dome

outside my window.

Violin music swirls up

from the piazza below.

Delizioso.

Sorrento and Naples

Today we made it to Naples. Rather a shock after being in this little seaside town for almost a week. The Archeological Museum was wonderful. Then back to Sorrento for more pasta - this time with langustines. 

Sorrento, Day 4

Lori and I meant to go to Naples today, but found we wanted to do nothing more than spend the morning in our blue tiled apartment drinking coffee. Soon after that decision, the promised storm hit. Rain pounded the roof and cobble stones and thunder thundered.  Now it has stopped, and I can hear the waiters from the restaurant across the (very narrow) street talking and laughing. In a little while we will go outside to eat lunch. We are happy. 

Sorrento, Day 2

Modern scultures in a 13th century cloister.

Fried fish under a yellow awning on a warm afternoon. And yes, white wine with lunch. Bella Italia!

Sorrento

The trip to get us to Sorrento was arduous. A seven hour delay in Heathrow due to mechanical difficulties meant we didn't get to Rome until 11 pm last night. Then a four hour journey south today. But at last Lori and I here.

Blogging Mistake 101

I didn't check the link to the When Women Waken website. I promise the link works now!

Four Poems in When Women Waken

I'm honored to have four of my poems included in the current issue of the online journal When Women Wakenwww.whenwomenwaken.org.  Please read some of the wonderful writing, view the artwork and leave a comment or two.