In pin stripes and a red leather clutch 

I bathe in the luxury,  

The luxury of pride, stiches spelling out this city’s name 

Written across its face and embedded in their tales 

Nobody can hurt me here 

Surrounded by art and stone 

I sink into a different lifetime 

Roman domes loom over the city 

And Renaissance paintings capture the secrecy 

Their influence forever embedded in the city that screams their names 

Nobody can hurt me here 

Drowning in espresso and pastries  

I dive into a pool of indulgence  

Drunk on air and bitter sweets 

I could swim in it forever if it keeps feeding me 

Nobody can hurt me here 

With brine marinating on my lips 

Dry wine stains me maroon  

Notes of love and romance on the tip of the tongue 

The holy water of my bloodline 

Nobody can hurt a poet in a place that embodies poetry  

Maybe I’ll only ever feel myself in a place built those who I study 

So, Florence, La mia dolce Firenze. 

You are the honor I want to call my daughter, the blessing of my first-born 

She will be baptized in your riches, dipped in gold,  

A legacy of our own.