Easter in Italy
In the dark Florentine night
the tolling bells announce the Resurrection.
Soon, in the sunshine,
we shall take the children
to follow the silk and velvet line
of lords and ladies,
who with drums and horns
and flying banners
thread the narrow streets
to the cathedral square.
Repeating the centuries
of Easter mornings past,
the dove will descend
to set the world rejoicing
in a shower of Roman candles.
Lari Smith