Now I am in Piazza della Repubblica
Where you search for a leather purse
All of the art of the aficionados
Is left behind for the day
Yet here, in the sun of sublime summers
You return with your purchase
The cleaning is not yet complete
Unlike the caricatures
It takes longer than three minutes
But still they have made a start
The grease and grime of many years
Is washed onto the cobbled floor
Thin jeans on thinner legs
Size six becomes the average
At least for the younger people
We older folk are not quite so slim
Having to contend with the gelato
And three, or more, meals a day
The sun beats down
So we take the shade, next day
I shall continue to observe reception
For tomorrow, we too
Will be on our way, and I for one
Would like to know the protocol for departure
