The sights and sounds of a beautiful city

Venice Day

The most serene republic greets the dawn
With domes and towers rising from the mist,
The cry of gulls to Arsenale borne,
San Giorgio’s pinnacle by sunbeam kissed.
At noon the pennants flutter in the breeze
While tourists queue in Campanile’s shade
And cool palazzo mount to take their ease,
Languid against the Doge’s balustrade.
The setting sun tints gold the higher floors
Of palaces that crowd upon the banks;
Tourists push onto Rialto Bridge and pause
Before the grandeur of their curving ranks.
The shuttered canal the gondola’s way:
A lone red light to mark the end of day.

Venice day

Copyright © Matthew Harrison, 2009

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