Lilacs

Years ago,

you  planted a wild lilac bush

in front of my window.

You probably hadn’t planned it though.

You simply brought home a bouquet

of bright, blazing purple flowers for mum.

Then the wind carried their seeds

down to my garden

and brightened my view

for every May to follow.

Its fiery fuchsia

mixed with lush green leaves

never ceases to remind me of the coming of summer.

The tantalizing scent

fills my nostrils

and plants a smile on my lips

as I remember your unexpected, annual spring bouquets

and your joyous smiles when you brought them in.

Years ago,

you planted a wild lilac bush

just outside my window.

Now that you’re gone

every wild lilac bush I see

still reminds me of your well-worn wrinkles

and never-ending, gentle smiles

for every May to follow.

Seven

The most impeccable number

in all this equation mumbo-jumbo

is a sweet and simple seven.

Indeed, she is mighty magical and fine

a perfect, easy, early prime

It’s multiplies: fourteen for cupid

and all the lovers, twenty-one

brings freedom to the young

and twenty-eight – four weeks, four times seven

the shortest month of the year

three times out of four

four is only slightly more

than half of seven

half way up to heaven

or maybe adding up to seven/eleven?

Equaling seventy-seven!

Oh, the bliss, the clarity the power of seven!

It’s so easy being in seventh heaven

though, eventually, it’s time

to end it with this fine prime

Seven

Seven!

Seven!!

…Seven…

Things I like

I like gelato

deliciously cold

in varying flavors

from fresh, inspiring lemon lime

to deep, rich, luxurious dark chocolate

topped off with chewy brownie bits

or cornetto crema

the sugary, doughy crust

crackling between teeth

filling my mouth with soft vanilla

capsuled in perfect breakfast size

usually enjoyed with latte or cappuccino

I like antipasto

grilled artichokes, mixed with eggplants

hot peppers in olive oil and garlic

freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven

sprinkled with oregano and basil

and finished off with cool, white wine

and spaghetti

rigatoni, tortellini, tagliatelle

with fruity, blood-red tomato sauce

or spicy sugo all’arrabiata

filled with ricotta e spinachi

or simply as a side dish

to chicken pomodore e formaggi

but, most of all, I enjoy

indulging in dulce

panna cotta, tartufo e tiramisu

creamy, sweet, endorphine-loaded

worth every single sinful second

                     life is short after all –

always eat dessert first!