You leaned against an
Iron rail and looked into
The canal was placid and
Lazy boats left torpid
Wakes behind your
Eyes was a feeling I
Could not figure out

At first I thought that
I saw sadness-and
That rebuke had
Fallen on your ears
Were hidden beneath
A mane of auburn hair
Reached to your waist

But then I saw your
Pretty legs with
Flower garlands about
The ankles were smooth
And brown and perhaps
A bit fatigued from
All the walking

Then I surmised
Perhaps you saw a
Secret thing in the sleepy
Canal where water lapped
The ancient walls of the
S(t)inking city had captured
Your imagination

I saw your lips were full
And red and wondered
How they trembled when
You cried and how they
Framed your pretty mouth
When joyful childlike
Laughter tumbled out

I asked myself which
Language you would speak
If spoken to and how
Your little girl's voice
Would sound if you were
Telling your most precious
How you loved him

I wished that I could take
The hand which rested
On the rail and walk
With you the narrow
Streets of magic Venice
Whilst you told me what
You saw in the canal

A day has passed and
Here I stand beneath
The little bridge where
First I saw your lovely
Eyes have gone-yet
E'er I see their enigmatic
Gaze still haunts me

I can hear your laughter
Ringing like the bells
Of San Marco kiss
The morning air brushes
My lips just as gently as
The kiss you never gave
Me would have done