Venice

Slender in black,

Wrapped up till lovers arrive,

Waiting gondolas.

~~~

(c) Jackie Le Poidevin

Written for Carpe Diem: Channel.

We visited Venice in the 2012 Easter holidays. One of the things that we saw was a squero or gondola workshop tucked away off the tourist trail in a side canal but, alas, I can’t find back the photos that I took. However, I did come across a fantastic quote online by Roberto Tramontin, one of the last traditional gondola builders, who (very nearly) described a gondola thus:

“Like a woman

In a black Armani gown

Diamond at her throat.”

OK, I’ve adapted it, but only slightly. And that, together with the photos I’ve included here, inspired my haiku.