She strides on..

Age doesn’t dull her enthusiasm,

Rules don’t break her resolve,

Hardships don’t impede her generosity,

A guide exemplar and achiever in her own right.

Interpreting the thoughts hidden in the paintings,

Deciphering the language in the sculptures, 

She pushes to educate her group about artists long gone,

Never second guessing or pausing, she strides on,

The survivor in her shines bright.

Determined to convey the essence of Firenze,

Ignoring the costs to herself, she lets her generous spirit take over,

Sending us atop the Piazzale Michelangelo to gain perspective, 

She ensured we saw the city and also its people 

in glowing light.

Note: This is an ode to a passionate guide who gave us her own bus tickets, so we could go to Piazzale Michelangelo in time.

Public Transport Therapy

I walk to the station, passing by 
Pretty canals and daffodils,
Cobbled streets and cyclists, 
Facades from a different era,
Concealing the modern interiors,
The sights and sounds occupy my mind.

I wait for the tram, 
Breathing in the cold air,
Watching a happy puppy playing,
Observing friends chatting and riding,
Marveling at the beautiful shop fronts,
The detail strikes me when I hit pause.

I climb onto the tram,
Thrilled to be in the warmth,
I chat with a fellow passenger,
Learning about them,
Sharing life experiences and world views,
Trading unfiltered thoughts encouraged by anonymity,
Interacting without any agenda truly brings out the best in people.

I say goodbye and get off the tram,
Not caged in the bubble of my views anymore,
Armed with more perspective,
And enlivened by the world around me.