Arno~by Paul F. Lenzi

 

 

Arno

“Florence, Italy – Arno River” by Hall Groat II

I was born of a river
stone arches first spanned
by legions of Cassius
here where the dear
Ponte Vecchio
gives me my shade

Tuscan watershed drain
fills my veins with the
coursing of Renaissance
runoff infusing my
essence with arts
of the hand and the mind

I carry a legacy
heir to the Medici patronage
deep in the rush of my
currents that charge
new young streams
in pursuit of their paths

there is love in my waters
enough to bathe history
think of me, drink of me
sail on my shoulders
until you decide
where tomorrow will run

 

 

(originally posted November 2013)