We once sat at a table in Capoliveri
The poet with a beard, walked slowly up the cobblestone path
Carrying a tattered black case, a paint brush and a cup
He approached our table and presented a stack of paintings
He smiled and turned away
We looked over the sketches in awe
Streets and lines fading in the distance
The painter sat quietly at a nearby table, pulled out a blank canvas
And dipped a paintbrush into the cup
A cup, half-full of left-over crema and dark espresso
He swirled the ochre liquid onto the white canvas
He outlined a building and sketched a checkered tablecloth
The shutters of the window opened wide to the summer air
A sign on a wall points to a direction – “Il Chiasso” 30mt.
We watched in awe of each stroke
The painter was nearly finished
He added one last touch before signing his name
” Ci elieto,nei nostril silenzi,la luce del cuore “
“Being quiet and still with oneself brings light to the heart”
This is your cup of coffee with a few kind words
(For RJM – you are the comfort to my beating heart)
© Ann Ivy Male 2013
Intriguing!
Yes indeed, I’ll tell you the story behind the poem the next time I see you 🙂