In the hills
above the sea
littered with Rome’s
ancient glories,
lavender bushes
crackle and buzz
with purpose
and joy;
fig leaves
the proportion
of polar bear paws
bake in midday sun
emitting a nostalgic perfume
of cooling pies,
damp gardens,
summer’s freedom;
a turtle
encased
in sun-dappled
camouflage
dispels his myth,
cutting a rapid, noisy swath
through
parched yellow grasses;
cicadas blast their cacophony
into shimmering heat,
the ocean on the horizon
a foggy dream of cool;
swallows screech for attention,
aging theater divas
diving evergreen cliffs
for a humble supper;
a white cotton
cocoon
suspended from the arms
of elms
rocks
in the afternoon breeze,
the chrysalis released
from daily expectations.
#italy #tuscany #summer
(at Vetulonia)