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The Bells of Rome

I'm sorry
but I didn't get your message--
I've been out of the country
listening to the bells of Rome.

The Cobblestone Streets of Rome

It must be time to leave
now that I recognize the street people--
the young woman with a missing leg
the old one with a lumpy bald head,
the "punks and beasts"
with multiple piercings
who beg on Ponte Sisto,
the one with a small bone through his nose
the flute player
with elongated ear lobes.
It must be time to leave
now that I recognize the dogs
in Villa Doria Pamphilli
now that the cobblestone streets
are familiar
and I can no longer
find an unknown route
to the Pantheon or Campo di Fiori.
It must be time to leave
now that I can no longer get lost.