I Think of the Hidden Forces in Home Towns

Painting by Guilio Romano


I THINK OF THE HIDDEN FORCES IN HOME TOWNS


I have heard, really overheard, that people
take pride in their home towns.
I don’t.

I take pride in Montepulciano, Orivetto,
Würzburg, Bruges, and Holland’s Dike road,
but not Tampa.

I learned from Dante’s “Purgatio” that two poets,
Sordello and Virgil
took pride in their home town of Mantua, Mantova.

When in purgatory, the two poets do not recognize
each other, but from their accents,
they recognized they are Mantuan and embraced.
These two have great pride in being Mantuans.

Dante witnessed this embrace
of the two poets from Mantua.

If I were in the Inferno, Purgatio, or Paradiso,
I would not embrace a Tampan if I met one.

I also take pride in Mantua, Mantova.

I take great pride in the Palazzo a Té.

I take great pride in Pysche and Cupid
taking a bath together in that bowl.
An angel poured from a pitcher the water.

I think Guilio Romano is greater
than Michelangleo.
The scene of Psyche and Cupid
taking a bath together is greater
than the Sistine chapel scene
of God touching Adam’s finger.


Duane Locke

Posted over on The Hold