Venice - In Search Of Lost Love Poem by Virginia Drungil

I come here looking for you
where all the crooked irregular side streets
lead to the Piazza
open space amidst the crowded old houses
crumbling and cracking
from the damp sadness inhabiting invisible swamps
perhaps the stale melancholy of the late autumn
or maybe indignant indifference of
the accidental passers by

Cloudy skies besieged by hungry doves
lightweight iron tables and chairs
outside the old Cafeteria
will we meet there if by accident
two strangers lost
in the decadent beauty of the city by the sea
two masks - we were way too late
to the Grand Ball Masquerade
self-possessed marveling at our incandescent reflections
in the old half-blind mirrors with the patina
due to the age on their once shiny surfaces

Moments came and passed us by
leaving no trace of self-denial and longing
preceding all this urgency to leave
our reflections wandering amidst the dust in the attic
amidst old mirrors
and head back to the World
invade the Cafeteria on the Piazza
and occupy a table or two

Passers by going their merry way
towards the Main bridge over the Grand canal
would never suspect of the drama raging inside us
while your exquisitely elegant hand lifts
a small espresso cup towards your half-opened lips
hot bitter unapologetic passionate

If you haven't existed already
I'd have to invent you
and come looking for you in the Piazza
one cloudy autumn afternoon
under the low skies besieged by hungry doves