Going to Rome
Was a rescue act
To salvage my mind
From the shipwreck of my life
I had foundered
On the simple rock
Of love
Forbidden to the likes of me
Since seminary
Had rooted me in religion
And celibacy was the
Condition of my caging
So off to Rome
To study
Moral Theology
Brian’s clever
He’ll get a degree
Summa cum Laude
Nothing less will do
This hot and sunny day
Is reminding me of Rome
Of two years I spent
Nel centro li
Window shutters often shut
To block the sun’s
Intensive heat
Cool corridors within
Basta cosi
Early start and evening stroll
Siesta time
A welcome break between
82 to 84
Pope John Paul
Held the floor
To think its forty years
Since I have been
I could not give
A wholesome heart
To all that Italy might start
To offer me
I just was not that free
La bella lingua
Bella citta
Bel paese insieme
I tasted and I liked
Ma si capisce?
I did return
On honeymoon
A happy week to spend
Walking the streets and alleyways
Again
Strange how my life got sorted out
La dolce vita
Roundabout
Margaret liked to hear me
Talking Italian
Brian Fahy
2 June 2021
Erris Poetry 