Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?/ Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,--John Keats, complete poem...
Keats arrived in Rome (via Naples) 21 October 1820; the ship was quarantined & he did not arrive in Rome until 15 November. Though he did not write poetry in what were to be his last months, he wrote one letter, to his friend Charles Brown. It's heartbreaking, especially the last two lines. "...I can scarcely bid you good bye even in a letter. I always made an awkward bow."
The photographs are from the Keats-Shelley House near the Spanish Steps; the salon & Keats' bedroom. In these very rooms & at the Protestant Cemetery, GG's editor has disgraced herself several times with squeaky sniffs. Once, she embarrassed a younger sister & has not yet been forgiven. Ever after, she has visited alone. (Though GG is keen to visit & lounge on Keats' grave...as a few Italian gatti do. We doubt he'd mind--they must be discussing poetry, no?)
A lovely weekend to all. (Sniff.)
ciao-meow/GG's literary agent
[Lungo Tevere by Giampaolo Macorig via flickr; Keats-Shelley House photographs by frattaglia via flickr; Protestant Cemetery, Keats' grave by Piero Montesacro via wikimedia commons.]
