Petriolo

I said Saturnalia and you said Petriolo

I said afternoon and you said serata

I said Cavour and you said Italia

After Fortezza and apertivo

Was poetry and Petriolo

You said sulphur and I said uovo

Your English much better than my Italiano

You translated my body, soft and piano

Your touch smooth as the rocks in the heat of the water

I lay at your feet and stared at the stars

the dark pool steaming in the last of twilight

I said stay and you said go

I said vedura and you said cena

I said acqua and you said vino

I said my bed was small but you could lay with me

Your arms warm as the thermal springs

The space between our lips infinite as the ocean