“The Spanish Steps, Rome” by Robert Finale
lovers and strangers
come searching
for romance
among sweeping
Bourbon pretensions
and trite papal patronage
scaling the Quirinal
joining two cultures
the sacred and secular
broad fanning spans
of a soft-handed
stonemason’s edifice
lovers and strangers
aspire to meet here
arranging their dreams
upon artistic shadows
composed by both
Shelley and Keats
with the same blooming
lyrical longings
implanting their hearts
love and hope
interchangeable wanting
for human connection
Poesy plus Polemics 