In fair Verona where we lay our stage ...

(In honor of Shakespeare, I will be writing this in iambic pentameter. Also, for those of you who are not aware, this is not supposed to rhyme.)

‘Twas just last week, if I recall, when we -

Four others from ‘round Italy and me -

 To fair Verona have we gone. And there,

To see the sites and one another have

Traveled from near and far to this here town, 

Where one can come and leave without a frown.

Merely an hour past noon, once school was done,

 A train from Vicenza to Verona

Was I aboard. I was, backpack and all,

Towards a city, so close but yet soo far.

And that I – I had not seen yet was a

Disgrace to be tolerated no more.

Arrived, was I, to Verona station,

When a kind pair of police officers

Directions to the center did provide

Followed the indicat’d path I arrived

To famous Piazza delle Erbe where

Patiently awaiting stood three girls and

A boy, who hail from Bologna and Trent.

Great weather up high was no hindrance to

Our want (or need) for a coffee (or two).

So off we went, into the shop, and sat

We did, while sipping gently from our drinks.

Soon thereafter, off we went through downtown,

Across Adige bridge, to bask in the

Glorious February sun whose bright rays

Faces and river did illuminate.

So there we stood, the famous footsteps of

the Capulets and Montagues retraced.

Retrace their steps we did indeed:

To the grand house of the late Juliet

We went and hence we saw the statue there.

Afterwards, our bellies craved none other

Than a scoop (or two) of cold gelato,

Whose fragola (strawberry) chunks made all

Palates water and eyes glare jealously.

Thus, our splendid day in the land of the      

ancient family feuds must dwindle down

And we must start to head back to the train

Returning to our native d’parture points.  

The old city gate to Verona.

"Love Locks" on the bridge over the Adige River.

The famous Verona arena.

The bridge over the Adige.

The wall before entering Juliet's courtyard. 

Crowds in Juliet's courtyard lining up to touch the statue.

Street performers! And fragola gelato!