Nor thunder claps as loud or as close between.

Earlier today, at ease over caffè, we rehearsed
The nearest natural disaster of equal force.

Earthquake of magnitude 4.1 (25 miles away, in Norcia, where the bikers raced the day before): No damage or injuries reported

In the ideal spot for catching up,
we stay until we lose the shade.

Had there been a spare hand for the iPhone
to catch umbrellaed apparitions headed home,

I wouldn’t need a thousand words, more or less,
to picture the sweet success of our grocery run.

When you’re expecting “Buonasera,” a word
too easily confused with the more familiar
“Buongiorno,” a word ready on the tongue,

“Buon ritorno” will throw you for a loop
if spoken by your neighbor, the customed-
made shirt lady from the shop downstairs.

To people the place,
On a night like this.

Closed up and headed for home,
As we’ll be too (and all too soon).