~ IL Vaticano ~

I'm ending my little 'Roman Holiday' series at

The Vatican

She is the jewel in the crown of Roma.

Pilgrims travel from every corner of the globe to see her. To stand within her ancient walls and breathe in,

 not only the beauty, but the history of her storied past.

And I am no different.

We came upon the Vatican on our first night, as we made a whirlwind
 run about the city.

She  was bathed in darkness, punctuated by the tiny glow of lights from within.

We only had time to nod and then move on.

But THIS day, we came back to REALLY see her.

She was rising out of the morning mist

and I was so moved , that this poem started to form in my mind
before we even got inside.

I started scribbling in my little pocket journal as we waited in line
and the words just tumbled out.
I finished it later that day during our siesta, my little quiet hour.

IL Vaticano

 by Terri M

She was built on a rock

a solid rock

buried deep and strong

to insure against slipping

in the sands of time.

The rock was covered over

with centuries of stories

hidden in layers of dirt

and bits of bone and ash

which only made her all the stronger.

She is a hymn

made of stone and concrete and glass

that rises out of the morning mist.

Standing as she has always stood

with arms outstretched wide

to gather all her children into

her saving embrace.

Though her polished marble floors

where Emperors have knelt

and her soaring heights might at first

seem imposing,

one must remember that her walls

are adorned with her children's artwork.

She has lovingly accepted the gifts

of sculpted stone and bits of colored glass

and proudly displays them, knowing each piece

clearly says...."see what I have done for you".

Don't fault her for her beauty,

for it is those who have loved her over the centuries

who have adorned her in glitter and gold.

And if you care to dig under the marble and glass

you'll find the rock buried there

her humble foundation

holding her up for all these centuries

and for all time to come.
                                                     TM

A little bird's eye view, from the catwalk.

So with this little love poem to the Vatican, I finish up my series on Rome. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed re-visiting
one of the great treasures on earth,
 this living museum,

this inhabited art,

this fabulous city;

ROME.

And I wave goodbye wistfully, just as Gail and I did as we left the city for the first time,
 looking back over our shoulders

Bye Bye Roma

All pictures are mine ( except for those from Roman Holiday, of course)