Leaf Rain Marble

by Roger Hickin

i.   (after Spiridon Drozhzhin)

a leaf blown

from its native branch
you drift with no road

of your own

ii.    Valdicastello

in torrents of rain

knock in vain
on the door of a friend

of a friend

iii.    Rapallo

at the marketplace

in Rapallo — baccalà al forno
and an old man’s company

at a marble table

iv.    Parco della Pace, Sant’ Anna di Stazzema

climb the ruined village

pass through the gate
of the Park of Peace —

she’s on her knees,
he’s in her mouth —

on the monumento ossario a stone mother
hugs her dead child —

a four hour spree for retreating SS
massacre then lunch and songs

high among the chestnuts of the Apuane
Anna . . .    Evelina . . .

Innocenzo . . .