Santa Croce

It seems a very ordinary show
Until you sit and slowly look around,
It still won’t be salubrious I know
But pearls are in their shells when they are found.
Once opened though the mystery has gone
And there’s no longer any fantasy,
Just ordinary now we’re not so fond
Should gifts of pearls be left below the sea.
Now ordinary is what many covet
So much destruction makes it look like heaven,
People today have simply learned to love it
Need nothing else for happiness to leaven.
So down to Santa Croce take a walk,
And you will have no need to even talk.

Cannaregio

You can sense the hidden growth behind its gate
There’s a mystery too a novel would be proud of,
And veges too, to fill your hungry plate
And trees and flowers in soils of natural love.
For decades they were hidden – home at night
But no-one died cause of their very race,
A bed and work it was their very right
If anywhere it was their safest place.
A woman glides her hidden gondola
As work goes on but no-one’s ever seen,
An ancient woman helped by those who’re fond o’er
Who had no real idea where she had been.
Like the Jews, the Cannars are finally breaking loose,
No longer will there be a hidden noose.

San Marco

San Marco is Venice’s very life and soul
All calles lead to its heart, St Mark’s piazza,
It’s where you hear the famous church’s bell toll
High above the sea threatening disaster.
No matter what your thoughts about St Mark
Your visit will insist that you appear,
With pigeons there all day and after dark
To most they bring delight, to others fear.
The grand canal another famous guest
Brings those with reasons not to take a street,
And simply those who want a little rest
Or after lots of travel put up their feet.
San Marco tests a lot of your emotions,
A testing time for those with strong devotions.

Dorsoduro

Another sestiere is Dorsoduro
Cannaregio a palace by contrast,
It’s where you get more bang for your good euro
And everything is not so very fast.
The sign so clearly states: no gentrification
The way it is, the locals want to stay,
They even accept it being near the station
Cause tourists first head out the other way.
It’s where they put a lead on all their cruise ships
And that is where the locals want them kept,
So stay there now then take your various trips
The longer walks will thus ensure you’ve slept.
It’s there they have their university,
And rare for Venice – a seat under a tree.

Castello

Castello’s a surprise for everyone
For me it was the activism on the street
And people chatting meaningfully, no fun
And from small shops were getting lots to eat
We wandered further down a heated lane
Along a dry deserted coastline way
Then Garibaldi of new Castello fame
There’s lots to eat and much to make you stay
But the icing on the cake a huge new park
With trees replacing shops to make your shade
And fifty chairs I counted for a start
When energy takes leave and starts to fade
Tourists take their time to uncover gold
So take your time in letting things unfold

San Polo

San Polo is the engine room of Venice
With its vibrant markets kicking up a storm,
Built high up above the flooding menace
The best of fish and fruit it is the norm.
Don’t mind the crowds cause you are one of them
If crowds weren’t good why bother being there,
It’s fed from the Rialto, the creme de la creme
So take your time to take your market fare.
Tintoretto painted his with one last supper
Which hangs in Venice’s church of San Polo,
And watch Giovani’s paintings with a cuppa
As well as Veronese and Tiepolo.
An appetite you’ll need to sate your thirst,
But probably your greed will make you burst.