Christmas

Holly wreathes and smokey fires

Carillons ring from sleeping spires
Santa's stand upon every square
Turkeys roast with meat to spare
Ivy garlands drape every wall
Mistletoe hangs within the hall  
Santa wakes and takes his sleigh
Makes the whole night bright as day
Reindeers fly upon the nights chill
While chimneys cool and houses still
Candles at windows at close of day
Everybody waits for Christmas day
For now there is a joy upon the air
Soon is Christmas; a hope we share

Civilisations

Twas a world of baths and vanity

That sits under watchful eye
Of the lost memory of Atlantis
For is not this Greek tragedy
Only a game of civilisation
That Rome trumped and bettered
Till the volcano took the prize
While Titus watched from Rome

Herculaneum

Pompeii

 

Villa Cimbroni Ravello

Where green meets blue
And coasts are guarded
By marble sentinels
Fashion a vista of awe
An eyrie of relaxation
Clinging to the very air
Seamless and timeless
Infinity captured in grace

Amalfi and Capri

Nothing may come here

And be unmoved
To visit Italy
Is to wish to stay
To wish to leave
Is to feel nothing

Herculaneum

Colours of ancient history

Still sharp as fire
Blue and ochre, gold and pomegranate
In Herculaneum
Under the shadow of fading cone
Who painted the frescoes?
And did they know
They would be seen
Two thousand years from now
Like the brush just left the wall

Sorrento

The greater heat

Is closer now
Sheds warmth
Illuminates softness
On butterflies wings
From volcanic soils
Surges green veils
And out of history
Are living tales
This is Italy