TRAVELING

The worst thing about traveling is

you don't get to know so many

more people than if you stay

at home   In Paris I

didn't get to know

that boy in the

purple scarf

who played

pinball

games

all

day   In

Rome that

black couple

kissing   London

a stunning brown-eyed

waitress with her front tooth

missing   Munich   Amsterdam

And in seraphic old Siena  where

I stayed burning longer than usual

I didn't get to know at least eight

people I never met  each one of

whom  turning toward me in

repeating rooms

with untouched hands outstretched

I can nev

er for

get