(reading the paper placemat at Colombo’s)
Start at the heel of the boot,
at the sumptuously-named Lecce,
and run your finger around the graceful
toe, beaded with Sicilian heat.
Move slowly upwards, pausing at the knee
to genuflect at the Holy City, then on
to gaze in awe at the high-swept sinews
of the landscape leading up to Assisi.
Come around the thigh, taking time to
taste the savors of Bologna, Parma, Genoa,
circling over and round the graceful
inland swell of the northern provinces
and down, down again to glide
upon the glistening canals of
Venice, whispering softly as the
red wine disappears like a sunset.
[*dessert]
Penguin Poems 
Wow, such a vivid picture you've created here. You made looking at a map quite sexy. So well done!
oh there is a nice heat here and i dont think it is just the food…..smoking write…
I'll never look at Italy quite the same again. Lovely, Andrew!
glideupon the glistening canals ofVenice,sounds like you've done this before, i'm jealous
Oh, this was a delightful combination of delicious, sensual, and lovely. But maybe a glistening canal is just a glistening canal? Or… (wink) Really sweet write, in the best way! Peace, Amyhttp://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/the-door-to-deceitful-delights-dverse/
Smokin indeed! All senses engaged…
I had the privilege of looking up Italy's skirt this summer. Six weeks I'll never forget. Bravo!