Sightseeing in Venice

By luigi_pagano

Sat, 30 Mar 2019
  • 1135 reads
4 comments
 

The last time that I was in Venice
I didn’t bother with the vaporetto *
as I was within walking distance
from the main square of the Ghetto.

Unlike other interested sightseers
I had not visited that area before
because seeing the Rialto bridge
or the Ca’ D’Oro appealed to me more.
 
As a tourist who followed his nose
I did not have a defined itinerary
and the thought of a site unknown
was troubling and somewhat scary.
 
But I needn’t have worried because
the natives were friendly and polite
as we entered the refuge of a tribe
that long ago was in constant flight.
 
The first person that we met there
was an orthodox bearded rabbi
who welcomed people who were
history lovers like my wife and I.
 
His words sounded like a prayer
but what he had said was ‘shalom’ .
He wasn’t Italian and I wondered
which far-off place he came from.
 
I was curious to learn and be told
all the salient facts so I made sure
that we took advantage and book
the next available conducted tour.
 
The knowledge that I acquired
made me realise my ignorance
and influenced my determination
to banish bias and intolerance.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2019
 
* water bus
 
_________________________________________________________________________________
 
Certificate U
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Comments

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

I have never been to Venice and have no idea of the places you mention Luigi. I've heard that you can get lost down some of the back alleys if you're not careful, but it's still such a very romantic place to visit with all classical buildings. 

You took me there with this poem Luigi.

Thank you.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

The topic in this poem is a visit to the Ghetto which is the area where the Jews lived and worked. Until the 18th Century they were only allowed to circulate freely within the city but at night they were locked behind iron gates which were unlocked at dawn. Nowadays a small number live there but the place is of historic interest with old synagogues and a museum.
If you have the opportunity, Jenny, Venice is worth a visit; there is so much to see.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Like Jenny I think your description of Venice is excellent. I've not even been to Itally, though would very much like to, but imagine it must be over-awing to see so many wondrous things all at once as would be the case on a holiday. That you do not go on about ripply light and gondolas makes your poem much more realistic. I like that you describe the locals, too, and a facet of history I didn't know about, and the elegant rhyme and flow matches the beautiful architecture :0)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Di. Different topics can be dealt in a variety of styles. I believe. For this kind of poem a realistic narrative is preferable to flowery language in my opinion. I found that some authors go overboard trying to be lyrical but everyone has their preference and that is what makes writing so exciting.

Luigi x