Yack alleys

Author of Don Camillo

 The Italian lived where he was born

Parma, near the River Po.

He played mandolin and studied law

because his parents would not have it so.

But he did admire his father’s panache

and in this was pleased to emulate

by growing [under his own nose] a heavy black moustache .

There was the night he was arrested

for howling in the street,

an Italian denied his point of view

will protest with his feet.

Nino’s wife, beloved,

 proudly bore two beautiful children.

He also owned a motor-cycle

which proudly bore four cylinderen.

In his homeland he came to fame

As editor in chief of “Candido”

but to the world he will always be loved

as the creator of Don Camillo.

*

Catkin carpet.

*

Come, let’s make ourselves a hiding place,

the willow tree next door

has been kind enough to throw his branch

over our fence, we’ll have a catkin carpet floor

Bring hazelnuts and a bottle of red wine

we’ll lie down together  the world passing by

Take care our laughter doesn’t give us away

in our little den, you and I.

These apricot days, 

bring me no boring daffodils

splash me rather with red carnations,

ravish my ears with wedding bells.

I will swoon with love in May sunshine

exceeding to the applause of the sycamore tree

and the surprised delight of sparrows.

Happy? you bet I am! (why wouldn’t I be?)