Where's That Ancient Land...Where Civilization Began?

Where's that ancient land where civilization began? There...this disconsolate poet was born: to tell whatever wasn't told on his return, and to choose his tomb under the shade of a pine; to be, somehow, comforted by the canary's song, or the presence of the carnations that, into the warm rain, would shine... Find such an amazing land by the deepness of the calm seas, and the fresh scent of the Alps and Apennines; foreign Kings governed it by their mighty cities, and the occupied people never knew it as a united nation, until it was liberated by a northern, courageous man: Garibaldi... proudly called the hero of the Two Worlds! Where's that ancient land where the Imperial Rome rose on the top of the Seven Hills, where Romulus was fed by a she-wolf? Legend, you say, but facts may prove that everything that occurred was true! O glorious Rome, all that's left of your greatness... are crumbling columns ravaged by the storms! When we read Vergil's writings and follow him in his travels, carrying papyrus and ink to write when time allowed him... we see impressive images of prosperous towns and cities, and in Baianum he rested a day, then climbed the Mount of the Virgin; and he gazed upon the lush hills and mountains of the country-side, and heard the Nolans chanting and wailing when he died! Where's that ancient land where civilization began, and mild seasons adorn it with their vivid colors? One can't help being lifted-up by a creation so breathtaking: that God Himself was surprised in its making; whenever you go, there are pristine meadows with wild flowers... something compels the writer and the artist to return! Copyright 2008 by Andrew Crisci