Venice from the Balcony~ Travelin' Tuesday

The slanting light, the sound of boat waves 

stroking every fine palace's doorstep,

the color of sunburnt ochre everywhere  

puts the mind aligned with

* dark, musty churches charged with the heady, 

ancient breath of incense

* curtains of wisteria softly calling with sweetness 

on warm breezes 

* thick, salty air that covers every surface with a sheen 

of slightly sticky 

* the promise of edible ribbons coated with local mountain herbs, 

soft cheeses and golden oil 

*evenings sprinkled with anise-kissed sambuca

* sweet, buttery pastries and thick coffee with whole cream

* a view that has lasted centuries. 

(If you haven't read Marlena de Blasi's 

A Thousand Days in Venice

and you're a fan of the city, the smells, the food and love,

you owe it to yourself! For an excerpt, click here.)

(Photograph copyright: Kirsten Steen)