Long Campanile Poems

The Killing Field”

Ariana nodded, tremolo fingers,
and they ran across the killing field,
watching the steel-toed kite ascend—
a fleeting instant of triumph in the vacuum.
Josh scoffed as it dipped,
both caught in the pull of the abyss,
falling but...

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The Killing Field”

Ariana nodded, tremolo fingers,
and they ran across the killing field,
watching the steel-toed kite ascend—
a fleeting instant of triumph in the vacuum.
Josh scoffed as it dipped,
both caught in the pull of the abyss,
falling but...

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Therewithal, profluent life ettles it's while.
Thitherward, from Death's bleak campanile
Grim antiphonals serenade.

A capriccio, the slashing swipe of the reaper's scythe
 will serenade.
Stringent Death forthwith anoints the mithridate to
Life's cantankerous and rankling ado

Hither now come, anon...

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Gate and Column

Enea celebrates the wedding of Frederick and Leonor

He owned a benefice “out there”, beyond Ravenna,
but now, in middle age, he’s coming home.
The action’s moved to native-town Siena,

though interspersed with roistering in Rome.
The countryside...

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the light breeze
   cooled the morning sun
daytrip Venice
            had begun
vantage views
       from a vaporetto
inch-by-inch
 the skyline...

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the light breeze
   cooled the morning sun
daytrip Venice
            had begun
vantage views
       from a vaporetto
inch-by-inch
 the skyline...

Read More

My feet enfold something here
Under these deep green trees
Rooted fast in sand
I make strides about the campanile
My heart still beating like a tribute
To your beautiful face
And I still try to find you
Somewhere in this place
Where...

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sun on the hill a hayfield
on an uncle’s farm
my childhood, captured gold
reflections on a placid lake
trees and greenery rise
ripple a silver face
later a song in the air
the summer of love
sgt pepper, a new refrain
an old...

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We drive breakneck over hot roads.
Churches, big as cathedrals, rocket
from pocket villages.
Castillo's cast their campanile on the baking earth.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba,
the green Alhambra shades us
through a preaching dust.

The Giralda; its Christianized minaret
stretched like...

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We drive breakneck over hot roads.
Churches, big as cathedrals, rocket
from pocket villages.
Castillo's cast their campanile on the baking earth.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba,
the green Alhambra shades us
through a preaching dust.

The Giralda; its Christianized minaret
stretched like...

Read More

I can see it shining so brightly
So white against the Venetian skies
From which a last view is seen by some
As they kiss freedom goodbye

Just like my heart wavering on the brink
of happiness, pondering the yes...

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Bubbles confabulated,
Aquamarine rosary beads,
Steel-blue beams.

Americana scarecrow,
Cherry-red combine.
Lost Highway,
A road to the car dealership,
Back on the interstate.

Campanile, Brookings.
Brick courthouse, marriage license.
Curvy fairytales,
Gluten-free supper,
Phillips Diner.

Sioux Falls railroads,
Sewage floating in the river,
All in view—
On the Cliff Avenue hill,
Of...

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Palazzo Strozzi near the Duomo is empty now,
The tourists having sought more grand amusements;
Perpetual restlessness the most common souvenir
They’ll be bringing home from vacation.

Giotto’s Campanile seemed manly from the outside,
Its shoulders squared against the distant...

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