Leaf Rain Marble
by Roger Hickin
i. (after Spiridon Drozhzhin)
a leaf blown
from its native branch
you drift with no road
of your own
ii. Valdicastello
in torrents of rain
knock in vain
on the door of a friend
of a friend
iii. Rapallo
at the marketplace
in Rapallo — baccalà al forno
and an old man’s company
at a marble table
iv. Parco della Pace, Sant’ Anna di Stazzema
climb the ruined village
pass through the gate
of the Park of Peace —
she’s on her knees,
he’s in her mouth —
on the monumento ossario a stone mother
hugs her dead child —
a four hour spree for retreating SS
massacre then lunch and songs
high among the chestnuts of the Apuane
Anna . . . Evelina . . .
Innocenzo . . .