Salaiola Festa in September was really lovely - a jewel of a poetry event in a remote corner of southern Tuscany. Even though I arrived late, the highlight for me was walking up into the steep woods outside the village with organiser Kevin Zweck and assorted Italian poets, to sit in a shady rocky ravine that seemed a million miles for the cares of the world. We just waited to see what words might come...and of course, the world was there anyway, in the rocks and the cascading water and even in the ivy strands hanging down into the ravine, waiting to be noticed or not noticed, needing nothing other than our quiet respect . Why is that so difficult, I wondered. 

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A great evening reading alongside Merrie Williams, Ilias Tsagas (thanks for the photos Ilias!), Danuta Dagair, and other examples of Greenwich talent.

There is so much concern appearing  in the media and elsewhere right now about damage to the environment and the extinction of species; having just read Ali Smith's wonderful 'Winter', I'm struck by her firey critique of the relationship between art and the possibility of real change. I  wish that poetry could do more to make a difference. Perhaps at least it can remind people about all that might be lost if we don't make changes now. 

Here in Italy I've been enjoying the energy of May as I always do; there's still so much exhuberant life all around at this time of year.

Buds open; out they come

yellow butterfly wings 
frilly-skirted wasps
impertinent spotted tongues

fluttering handkerchiefs
jittery space invaders
pollen fusillades

swarms of flying horses 
pistil, anther, stamen 
flame, keep on flaming,

bold as you like.

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One more 'White Roads' post - I can't resist adding a link to Eleanor Shannon's very kind review of our poetry reading and wine tasting in Siena, on her blog, Uncorked in Italy. I've never read such a sensitive poetry review from a wine expert! Thanks, Eleanor, you helped to make it an unforgettable evening!
uncorkedinitaly.com/tuscan-terroir-poetry-sketches-and-wine/