Every surface was covered with fluffy white menace.
The lights had been hung through the calli with care,
In hopes Babbo Natale soon would be there.
The pigeons were nestled safe in their trees,
And it seemed today they were smarter than me,
'Cause clad in tennis shoes, my coat, and my cap,
I went to the city, planning a quick lap.
Last minute errands, not a strange matter,
But I soon found my plans would be shattered.
At San Zaccaria, when the vaporetto stopped,
I noticed the streets, all covered with slop.
I was excited by the new-fallen snow,
But through it all lagoon water flowed.
Still, I had my mission, it was quite clear,
And acqua alta never caused me fear.
Rather, a tourist I was glad to be,
And sometimes I stopped for pictures of me.
I went through San Marco, and no mistake,
The Piazza had turned to a wintry lake.
The horses were icy atop their church,
And on the columns, no seagulls would perch.
The lions shivered, or at least they would,
They would probably fly south, too, if they could.
On to the Rialto, I pressed ahead.
Other tourist traffic was all but dead.
On the bridge I met some nice English gents,
Took some more photos, and then on I went.
Crossed the bridge, to the other side of town,
And I nearly fell twice on the way down.
Next Strada Nuova, hunting Audreys store,
Piles of snow behind; ahead only more.
Several tense minutes after I went in,
I left with a bag and a glass penguin.
That, and a gondolier went in my pack,
And I thought it was time I should head back,
But my favorite mask store was on the way,
And it was convenient to go today.
One detour then another through the snow,
To Ferrovia I was forced to go.
Returning to San Marco was a chore
With the lagoon overlapping the shore.
Some boats went partway; others didn’t run.
But finally I got a seat on the one.
Back at the Rialto, I disembarked,
Thinking I’d beat the boat back to Saint Mark’s.
Alas, I was thwarted by the high tide.
Paths blocked by high water undid my stride.
Though I missed the twenty, not all was lost.
There was much good among the snow and frost.
Bright decorations, and much Christmas cheer,
Today I wish to be nowhere but here.
Covered in snow, the city’s quite different,
And today’s adventure was time well spent.
I’ll be home for Christmas another night,
But for now fair Venice is quite alright.
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