MDINA, MALTA

Perched on high atop its hill
The "Silent City" is far from still, (1)
Cathedral bells in strident tones
Seem to shake its age-old stones.

In a cool and shaded street
A horse clips buy on iron feet, (2)
Bridle, reins and carriage spring
Set the walls to echoing.

In the sun in Bastion Square
A brass band plays a cheery air,
Down a lane off to one side
Chattering tourists trail their guide.

High on the bastions, here the clink
Of plate and glass as food and drink,
Are taken in by diners who
Take in as well the majestic view. (3)

Cathedral bells for now at rest
Aisles and knave in silence blessed,
A whisper carries across the floor
Soft as the sunlight that laps at the door.
*****
Perched on high atop its hill
The "Silent City" is far from still,
Cathedral bells in strident tones
Seem to shake its age-old stones.

COPYRIGHT D M PAMMENT 2010

[1] Mdina, Malta: a.k.a. the “Silent City”
[2] Cars are banned to all but residents, tourists can see the city from inside a horse-drawn karrozin or carriage
[3] Fontanella Tea Gardens, Bastion Street. From here you can see all the way across Malta to the coast