Title: Voices and Colors of Murano, Italy
Author: Stefano G. Padoan
This collection of poetry displays the voices and colors of Murano, Italy, where I have spent a lifetime of summers. With this collection, I hope to capture the details of the island as well of the hearts of its’ people

Padoan, Stefano G

English

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  Voices and Colors of Murano, Italy By Stefano G. Padoan  Venetian Lagoon  (Haiku)  Thick, foggy morning: the lagoon's glassy surface reflects time gone by.  The Fading of the Artisan (Rispetto Poetic Form) Glass maestros gone by at the century’s turn. The roar of bright furnace flames as they did greet. Blowing incandescent globes of amber burn. etched with a generation’s secrets and heat.  Factories empty and hollowed, once dear. An industry ghosted; an artisan’s fear. Time ago luxury knocked upon the door, But it will not soon return, nor enter more.  A Walk Around Murano (An Acrostic Poem) Musty and damp dwellings, infused with the lagoon’s salted sea air Under bridges and across tables, friendships made, families strengthened 1Padoan: Voices & Colors of MuranoPublished by Scholarly Commons, 2022Right after sundown, the island quiets and locals selfishly fill her streets Across the piazza, the stone church Ss. Maria e Donato, gleams, the matron of the island Near the docks, all variety of boats carry her history via the lagoon Overhead, white socks hanging next to sheets, billowing in the wind  Nonnas in the Windows (Limerick) There once were some nonnas who knew, If they stared out the windows at two, They’d see innocent mischief occurred, And be the town’s “little birds,” To say, “I’ll tell your mamma on you!”  Coexisting (Free Form poetry) A chorus of salutations echo amongst the weathered palaces and cobblestones,  Half the buildings are empty now, a younger generation driven away, Murano still has life to share as she explores how to survive. A young visiting couple, sitting on the steps of the bridge, share a loaf of bread and packaged cheese.  A mother and daughter, walk home from the beach. “Don’t tourists know it’s rude to just sit in the middle of our bridges, mama?” a child pipes up.  All are called by an invisible dinner whistle Bread and cheese on the bridge, or carrots, onions and celery being sautéed in olive oil, All adds perfumed humidity to the air, The steam of whistles of pressure cookers, humming on stovetops announces the paradox  Of the visiting and the rooted, finding ways to co-exist  2Night Flight Journal, Vol. 2 [2022], Iss. 1, Art. 14https://commons.erau.edu/night-flight/vol2/iss1/14“Vien’ Vicin…”  (Dialect for “Vieni Piu’ Vicino” - Come Closer) (Found poem) Pizza Pasta Bruschetta Vino Gelato Beyond the shiny, shaded havens at the front of the island, we have so much more to share. Pizza Capricciosa Spaghetti al Nero di Seppie Gnocchi con Capesante Sarde In Saor Panna Cotta con Mirtilli e Lamponi  San Nicolo’, Patron Saint of Murano (Ottava Rima) San Nicolo’, the patron saint of the town, By dark of night on December six, he comes, Carrying gifts to eliminate childrens’ frown, Protector of glassblowers and their sons. A tradition centuries ago, passed down, Promoting the secrets of glass, blessed by the nuns. From lab to museum, behold the treasure, Of glassworks that bring to all such pleasure.  Il Faro (The Lighthouse) (Cinquain) 3Padoan: Voices & Colors of MuranoPublished by Scholarly Commons, 2022Spotlight. Land’s guardian, Showing ships home from sea, Waves crash against the monolith And fall.   4Night Flight Journal, Vol. 2 [2022], Iss. 1, Art. 14https://commons.erau.edu/night-flight/vol2/iss1/14

Voices and Colors of Murano, Italy

https://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1088&context=night-flight

Voices and Colors of Murano, Italy

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