Circumvesuviana Lamentation Poem by Pasquale DiMeola

Sad eyed gypsy child riding the train
Playing the concertina for hand-outs
Slaving from sunrise to sunset in vain
Under the scowl of a mother who shouts

From Sorrento to Napoli all day
Beseeching what few alms from a stranger
Keeping the wolf from her door in a way
Seeming useless when nurtured by danger

Pretending to play the instrument well
Wearing yesterday's raggedy clothing
Given an occasional coin or yell
Disregarding the accustomed loathing

May God's grace return your filched childhood
Provide you with Pegasus who will fly
To a place where kindness is understood
So gypsy maidens won't cause men to cry.