Clicking Cameras

by Michael Dylan Welch and Ion Codrescu

First published in Blithe Spirit 32:3, July 2022, page 72. Originally written 6 October 2019 over a vegetarian lunch at Café Flora in Seattle, Washington, while Ion was visiting from Romania.

Bridge of Sighs—

a gondola glides

out of morning shadows Michael

Burano’s peeling walls

like abstract paintings Ion

running toddler—

the rush of pigeons

from Piazzo San Marco Michael

Campo San Luca—

a living statue performs

Casanova Ion

at the Doge’s Palace

the tour guide’s big breath Michael

sunset reflecting

on the Grand Canal—

the click of cameras Ion