Trieste is built as an end to both land and sea
its houses flow down from the forested hills
like glaciers they lie silently in the ridges while
their fronts embrace the water lending it a shape to end

When the sun rises one can see from a fortunate
spot the sparkle of golden crosses on churches
and the colours of the houses flaring up under
a warm sky, a breeze promising a day unhurried

I remember how this morning we walked by such
a spot after a short night with no sleep
and only briefly I could see everything laid out
masterfully, before it was gone.