RABAT, MALTA

We've seen Mdina atop its hill
Rabat is waiting for us still,
So leave behind its age-old stones
Its horses, bells and cicerones.[1]

*****
Walk past the "Bacchus" restaurant[2]
The road slopes gently down,
Until at last you find yourself
Upon the edge of the town.

Out through a stygian portal[3] [4]
Beneath the ramparts tall,
A modern café kiosk
Stands nigh the ancient wall

Ahead the buildings of Rabat
Mdina's un-walled twin,
A gift and souvenir shop
Lures the tourists in.

At the end of Triq San Pawl[5]
There lurks a locals' bar,
Their faces say "just walk on by
We're happy as we are."

In Parish Square is St Paul's Church
His grotto lies below,
Further on the catacombs[6]
Where the dead lay long ago.

Return now to Mdina
Back to its ramparts tall,
Back through that stygian portal
Beneath the ancient wall.

COPYRIGHT D M PAMMENT 2010

[1] “Cicerone” - a tour guide
[2] Bacchus restaurant on Inguanez Street, formerly a munitions magazine & wine cellar
[3] The Greek Gate
[4] “Stygian” – Dark, gloomy
[5] “Triq San Pawl” – Saint Paul Street
[6] St Paul’s and St Agatha’s catacombs where the Romans buried their dead