Venetian Dreams
The year we did the Grand Canal,
I came home feeling humble.
My own life just seemed so banal.
My dreams began to crumble.
My life was filled with piety
of very little note.
None of the notoriety
could my First Baptist quote
compared to all the beauty
I’d seen in St. Mark Square.
I felt it was my duty
to be living over there.
I needed no incitement.
My life here seemed so rote.
I needed the excitement
of traveling by boat.
Though it seemed an overindulgence,
I sought to be alone.
I needed the effulgence
of sun shining on old stone.
I could sell my small red Honda,
put my jewelry in hock.
(I had visions of a gondola
waiting at the dock.)
I imagined a “For Sale” sign
in front of my small home.
It seemed a “Get out of Jail” sign.
This housewife sought to roam.
If it sold within two fortnights
I could take off, traveling solo.
I could trade in Sunday sportnights
for a flight to Marco Polo!
I would feel I was at home again.
I’d missed the sights of Venice.
I wanted to be where I’d been,
free from all the menace
of getting three kids off to school
and ironing hubby’s shirts.
I sought to trade the Golden Rule
for romantic nights and flirts.
I’d give up school bake sales
for pannetone and gelato
eaten with Italian males.
“Me First” would be my motto.
I tried to conjure the Rialto,
but I saw the Bridge of Sighs
as my sound track’s rich contralto
assumed a different guise.
“Mommy, Mommy! was the chorus
of my shattered dream.
My stone fantasies were porous,
issuing a frantic stream
of nightmare shrieks and pleadings.
I started down the hall.
My daughter’s midnight needings
my most urgent call.
The canals were left in shambles
as verity flooded in.
So much for fantasy gambles.
My real life won again!
The prompt word today are canal, overindulgence and humble.
https://ragtagcommunity.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/rdp-friday-canal/
https://onedailyprompt.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/your-daily-word-prompt-overindulgence-february-15-2019/
https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/02/15/humble/
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
The Rialto vs. the Bridge of Sighs – that’s precious, Judy! This adorable poem conveys the same intensity of feeling about Venice that I have about Florence (not to knock down Venice – I do like it!). Fortunately, the reality of life did not interfere with my “Italian obsession” for years, as it did in your poem. But I agree with Stendhal: everyone must spend some time in Italy!
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I am going to this summer–with my sister!!
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I am sure you’ll have a fabulous time, Judy! Have you been there before?
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Yes.. driving. I haven’t been to Rome, though. This time I am going by boat.
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Sounds fantastic – have a great time!
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I, too, liked Florence better. And there is the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno, but alas, not the canals. Those prompts direct us in other directions than we might have gone given our own direction, but they are such fun to write to. I think I have a posting about the Villa Villoresi outside of Florence. If I can find it, I’ll send a link. Thanks for your comment.
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Just beautiful Judy. “real life” ran my life for the first 48 years, but once the kids were grown, watch out. I’ve indulged every travel whim and whimsy. To quote Tolkein, “the story’s just not worth telling if there’s not a dragon.” Yes, I spend a lot of time in NZ. 😉
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By NZ you mean New Zealand? I spent a year and a half in Australia and never made it to New Zealand. Perhaps one day. Thanks for your comment. Fantasy can become reality.
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Oh yes I mean New Zealand. Funny I have been to Nz several times but never made it to Australia, must add that to my list. 😉
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Venice in real life probably can’t compete with Venice in fantasy. In my experience, they’re not the same place at all ❤
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Sounds a little familiar, although for different reasons. Having spent about 5 years dreaming of a move, real life has won, and I’m staying put where I am!
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So you aren’t moving to the new apartment?
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I’ve decided that I’m really not ready to change my lifestyle that much at this point. It took a lot of re-evaluation and soul searching, but I finally decided I wasn’t excited about moving, and there are a few things that I can do here if I need to in order to stay here (like a stair lift, for example). There are MANY options, but the best one is currently to stay here.
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Good for you..
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Thanks! I worry that I have made an emotional decision based on the fact that I hate moving! There are reasons that a move would be a good idea, but I think it’s better at this point to stay here. There are lots of options available, and there will be when I’m ready to move. And in the meantime I will continue the de-cluttering, and maybe give this home a new floor (or a new carpet) and a coat of paint so it will feel new again! I think it was all a good idea that happened too soon!
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I’m glad you still have the choice! And you still will when you are ready for change, if ever.
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So many places in the world I’d love to see, but I’ afraid any extensive travel is a thing of the past for me. I sure am glad for TV programs and books!
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Yes.. so many places we see that otherwise we would not. And in the comfort of our favorite chair…
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I have those too 🙂
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