(italian Collection) More Poems From A Balcony On The Amalfi Coast. Poem by Janice Windle

Here are some more of the poems I wrote while staying on the Amalfi Coast in October 2008, with my lover Dónall. They are all based on little paintings I was doing in a book of beautiful soft Amalfi paper. When I've filled the book with poems and pictures I'll print copies. I have twenty more double pages to fill!

1. Olive Wood

The olive rails round our little Eden
contain in their knotted surfaces:

the eyes of basilisks,
the craters of erupting mountains,

the horned brows of iguanas
and coiled foetuses of unborn sirens

which with my sun-filled eye and pen
I release on soft Amalfi paper.


2. Haiku

Sky's eye passionate,
gazing on land the sun loves...
white noon heat pours down.

3. Haiku

Sun paints a pattern
happy dance of leaves in wall
ants and gekkos climb.

4. Haiku

Blue shadows of vines,
arabesque of leaves dancing
white wall garlanded.

5. Dinner in Amalfi

Our host, straight faced, brings bread
wrapped in brown paper, lights our red alcove
with a stylish candle flame. Outside in early dusk,
children's games and cheerful shouts
of pirate-faced Amalfitani.

Inside, a Pompeiian crimson glow
reflects in mirrors that throw candle flicker
from ruby wall to gilded frame.
And we, end-of-season tourists,
delight in the coppa mocha,
in the dryness of the wine and the waiter's wit,
and above all, in each other's company.