Ode to Venice

Venice today

I drive there

The music loud in my ears

I sing along

Sunscreen all over my nose

Once arrived

Once parked

Sunglasses

Others do the same

The boulevard stretches the length of the beach

Where you see tourists of all ages

The sun warms me up and browns my skin

I stop to get a henna tattoo on my back

The Chinese symbol representing pleasure

My only goal is to wander at my leisure

The ocean, the sand, the soft wind cradles me

I think of you and the losses pierce me

I had already felt all those tears

To make myself better, to cure my heart

Cigarette lit, I draw it into my lungs

Remembering the sweetness we once had

An old woman with chestnut hair sees me coming

She calls me over to read my fortune

I pretend not to hear her

But I only want to understand it

T-shirt off, a book under my arm

I stroll, my heart bruised, without you

Our song plays in my head again

My thoughts are a sick and unhealthy storm

Venice today

And I flee

Without being able to escape

You and the city of my thoughts