Naples: balcony overlooking Via Firenza

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By stevepoet

Mon, 16 Aug 2021
  • 3162 reads
12 comments
 

It is the buzz of the scooters, itching

the city’s flaking skin, the live chaos

of the traffic. Pools of men waiting

for something to happen. It is the press

of the July day’s vague expectations

on the sweating crowds and the changing streets

that closes space as an engine is gunned

and pedestrians pause for it to pass.

 

Nothing is ever cool. The close summer

will distort your visitor’s perception.

Up close, the faces have much in common

with your own. Watch. Learn. Pay attention.

The sound of Naples in July’s heat:

a raindrop hissing as it hits the street.

Certificate U
Poem

Comments

Submitted by airyfairy on

This marvellously evocative poem is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day! Please do share/retweet if you enjoy it too.

Picture: Pixabay Creative Commons

Submitted by drew_gummerson on

Excellent poem. Takes me right there. 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is wonderfrul - thank you Steve!

 

Submitted by stevepoet on

Thanks all!

Submitted by Di_Hard on

brilliant, enjoyed so much

 

Submitted by stevepoet on

Thanks Di

Submitted by marandina on

Italy is an amazing country. I haven't visited Naples but a friend has and his description of it tallies with your wonderful poem.

 

Submitted by Ewan on

This sharply-observed snapshot of the hot Mediterranean summer in Naples is our Poem of the Week. Please share and/or retweet if you like it too.

Author Page at the 'Zon
 

Submitted by stevepoet on

Brilliant! Thanks!

Submitted by celticman on

watch, learn, pay attention. A mantra I wish, I wish, I could. 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

The buzz of scooters sounds familiar, be home before curfew the better part of valour is discretion.

Good! Never been to Itally myself they say it can get very hot there.

Keep well, all the best! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by MJG on

love the rythm of this, made to be spoken, goes with the pace, lovely sense of atmosphere, smell, vision and that last line nailed it perfectly...