Venetian Interlude (IP)

Gold cherry

By seashore

Wed, 06 Apr 2011
  • 9689 reads
30 comments
 

what if we had never
gone to Venice

well, for a start
I wouldn't have the photos
I'm looking at now
telling me all I need
to remember -

your face
by the Rialto
looks at me with love
over your capuccino

you looking in the window
of a photographic shop -
you could do that anywhere
and usually did,
camera bag over your shoulder

Piazza san Marco
buzzing in dazzling November
sunshine, the coffee drinkers
there for the duration

and the man in shades,
broad brimmed-hat and cloak
in every shot from every angle -

why is he the one I wonder about now,
why not you?

for us Venice was merely
a perfect way to pause the inevitable -
a sort of love still just about in focus

but what of the man
in the Piazza san Marco
seen through a lens that day,
looking like he could have directed
this piece -

instead of playing a bit-part
in a scene shot over and over again -
forever having another cup of coffee
and another cigarette

Certificate U
Poem
Love

Comments

Submitted by Highhat on
"a perfect way to pause the inevitable" a wonderful line from a wonderful pictoresque poem. Ah Venice- loved the man in the cape. Fantastic take on the IP Seashore. well done ;)Pia

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks so much, Pia!

Submitted by luigi_pagano on
Being very fond of Venice, I could not ignore the lovely sketch you have drawn of the 'Serenissima'. Your words have brought to life the city with its busy coffee bars in which to enjoy espresso or cappuccino. As for 'another cigarette', I am afraid it has to be outdoor but as there are plenty of tables outside in Piazza San Marco it isn't a problem. Enjoyed the poem. Luigi x

 

Submitted by seashore on
So glad you enjoyed and thanks for letting me know. Yes it's a magical city indeed. Coral x

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on
I went to Venice many years ago. It was April and it was magical, as was the beautiful sketch you painted with your words, Coral. Tina

 

Submitted by seashore on
Tina - I appreciate your words very much and thank you. It's one of those places that actually lives up to expectations and on in the mind forever I think - whatever time of year you visit. Coral

Submitted by shoe on
A beautifully crafted poem, I love the mystery man too!

 

Submitted by rjnewlyn on
I suppose he could have been the ghost of Wagner (as in the composer, not the X-factor chap). He died in Venice so maybe he wanders around there still. And he was fond of broad brimmed hats and cloaks, although I don't think he had the opportunity to wear shades (perhaps he's making up for lost time).

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you shoe - as you know I always appreciate your feedback.

Submitted by seashore on
Thanks for the info on Wagner - no, I didn't know he died there though I can well imagine he wore broad-brimmed hats and cloaks! No reason why ghosts can't wear shades I guess!! Many thanks for the cherry, eds - really chuffed.

Submitted by fatboy74 on
I like this seashore - it doesn't quite stray into Don't Look Now territory but there's definitely a mystery there. Steve Button (on ABC) wrote a similar themed poem about an end of relationship trip to Prague (can't remember what it's called but it starts with something like 'Remember the day we walked on to the film set...' and I think what you both capture is that slightly unreal aspect to these incredibly beautiful places - yours in particular through this recurring character who might have been an escapee from the commedia dell'arte. Very much enjoyed. :-)

 

Submitted by seashore on
Really appreciate the in-depth feedback as ever, FB. I will look up the poem you refer to. Don't Look Now incidentally was one of the most terrifying films I've ever seen - but then I'm easily scared!

Submitted by fatboy74 on
Murderous ugly dwarves with knives in red coats in Venice after dark - who isn't going to be frightened by that? Can you believe it was shown as a double bill at the cinema with the Wicker Man, arguably the two greatest British horror movies of all time. Now there's value for money.

 

Submitted by seashore on
.....or not in my case! Trying to remember the name of a film (only one ever) I had to walk out of (or run) - it will come to me eventually. It has! Blue Velvet. Before your time I'm guessing, not sure.

Submitted by oldpesky on
Absolutely loved this. I've now come back to it about four times so far. Great use of this week's inspiration point. Very well done.

Submitted by seashore on
Really pleased to hear that, oldpesky - many thanks for letting me know.

Submitted by tcook on
I'll add my enjoyment too. I have visited Venice many tims and it never fails to inspire me - it's Bienale year (as it is every other year!) and so I shall be returning in the Autumn no doubt. If you love modern art and a great place then it makes a fantastic visit. This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day. Join us on Facebook at ABCtales.com Join us on Twitter @tcookabctales Get a great reading recommendation most days.

Submitted by seashore on
Well I didn't expect that, Tony! I nearly didn't post this one as I thought it needed more work so extra-chuffed. Thank you very much. Enjoy your visit in the Autumn - I'm sure you will.

Submitted by barryj1 on
The quirky story in the poem takes you where you don't expect to go, which is what makes a seemingly mundane read not just special but extra-special. what if we had never gone to Venice I didn't really think anything of the plain-spoken opening (i.e. not even a capitol 'W' or question mark to cap the inquiry), but then the verse took on a life of its own, independent of the reader. you could do that anywhere and usually did, Again, more clever reminiscence. This is really a much denser, more psychologically nuanced poem than its brevity would suggest. Okay here's the deal: I've read through this poem about three or four times and each time I like it more intensely, which is the way I used to feel about ee cummings (i.e. anyone lived in a little how town with up so many floating bells down...) Well, I better cool it. But I think you know what I'm getting at.

barryj1

Submitted by ScoZen on
Ahh, dear seashore. From Andalucia to Venice...How romantic. But..? Whilst he may have had the camera, I'm sure you would have captured more with your little box of water colour paints.
ScoZen

Submitted by seashore on
Barry - I feel unworthy but very grateful and pleased that what you saw in this poem you expressed directly to me and I thank you for that.

Submitted by seashore on
ScoZen - you may be right but I didn't have my paints with me. I tried and failed when I got back but now I've found another way - so be it. I love your less-ordinary comments - thank you.

Submitted by lwilkinson on
Gorgeous, mysterious poem about a beautiful and spooky city. The references to Don't Look Now resonate for me too and my favourite line is 'a sort of love still just about in focus'. Unforgettable.

LauraW

Submitted by seashore on
What a lovely comment and very much appreciated, lwinkinson. Thank you.

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on
Hi seashore, just got around to reading this lovely poem, I have never been to Venice, but reading this, you have certainly got my taste buds going, especially as its such a romantic place to visit. Thankyou for a wonderful taste of Venice. Jenny.

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you for a wonderful comment, Jenny!

Submitted by phase2 on
I like the playing with photo and memory and time. "a sort of love still just about in focus" with the different meanings of "still" That you can be "there for the duration" not there for the surroundings Even that the person who takes photos is invisible in history. Or her's.

 

Submitted by seashore on
Thank you for really reading and absorbing and commenting with insight, phase2.

Submitted by JoseHdz on
wonderful. tranquil and sharp with a perfect, mundane ending. s a l u d, jose

Submitted by seashore on
It's always good to have a comment on an `old' piece, jose. Thanks for that and for making observations that haven't been made before. Even better!