A Poem by Thomas Zimmerman

Notes from Rome

 

1

At the Coliseum: “They loved the blood.

Lots of it,” said our Tuscan guide,

proud of his own.

 

Drank lots of water—

safe, we’re told— from city fountains. Saw

the house where Keats died.

 

Had a beer,

called a grown man Signora

at the Villa Borghese.

 

Everywhere, myriad depictions

of the Son of God.

I came, I saw, I didn’t go bonkers.

 

--Colonna Palace Hotel

 

2

Horn-honks, a siren, a beep-

beep repeating itself. All underneath

the cicada scream.

 

Still on the balcony.

Haven’t talked to my wife. Let her sleep.

I want to write.

 

A little tired, but having a good time.

The tourist’s bought-and-later-paid-for

leisure life.

 

--Albani Hotel

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas Zimmerman teaches English, directs the Writing Center, and edits two literary magazines at Washtenaw Community College, in Ann Arbor, MI. Poems of his have appeared recently in Untitled Country Review and Big River Poetry Review. His chapbook In Stereo: Thirteen Sonnets and Some Fire Music is forthcoming from The Camel Saloon Books on Blog.