Ghost
of a dream
this slim shadow
beneath tall stone walls
medieval streets steep-falling
with Tuscan sun: Porta all’Arco
and all our mouths full
round vowels in Chianti
steeped: Montepulciano
Leccino, Toscanello
These illusions worn to mystery
by centuries of hill-building
empires seeking meaning
wine-sided, steep-falling
faceless in dark
dreams
Graceful Press Poetry 
Very vivid: and all our mouths full
round vowels in Chianti
steeped.
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I like to pretend to speak Italian; it feels so nice. 🙂 And a few glasses of Chianti help lots.
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I get so nostalgic for Italy and all things Italian, and I’m not even Italian! Thanks for the lovely reminder 🙂
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My pleasure! We only made the one whirlwind tour through Tuscany last autumn…I know I still haven’t fully processed. I recently saw a painting that reminded me of Volterra, especially, so I hunted down some of my photos and memories. 🙂
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Volterra is Carlo Cassola country. If you haven’t read any of his novels I recommend highly.
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This is wonderful. The second stanza is pure joy.
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Molte grazie!
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I too admire that 2nd stanza, and the whole ~
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Thanks very much.
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Well that settles it; I must go to Italy now.
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Yes! The Tuscan hill towns were my favorite. This picture is from Volterra.
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So evocative, Jennifer. I loved this:
“and all our mouths full
round vowels in Chianti”
And this: “by centuries of hill-building
empires seeking meaning”
The title says so much.
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Thanks, Meg.
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Such a poignant poem that reminded me of ancient worlds and medieval dreams.
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Some of my favorite things! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
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