Via del Corso, 111 Centro Storico,
                          4 giugno 2005.

My apologies, wherever you are.

in that small square off Via del Corso,
I photographed your argument,
filled the lens with you
standing on your toes,                
leaning into him.

your lips pucker, as if you’d kiss,
but I can feel those wounded words
and watch the hands mimic every utterance:
pinched fingers point in the air;
a flick of the chin; ma va’ là!
basta! 
the words and every gesture
become a dance all your own.
more than once you take two steps back, turn
and then return
to continue with such passion, such intimacy,
the sun slips behind heaven’s white clouds
and a light grey veils the day.

while others continue on premeditated paths,
perform circadian chores
or simply go about their business,
I watch you walk away, disappear,
vanish in a crowd that’s unaware
                          of all the music in the air. 

– John M. Davis