The writings of two of my fellow bloggers prompted me to resurrect this poem I wrote, “A Dark and Handsome Italian,” which was published sometime in the 1990’s in New Press Magazine. Foxsydee often writes fun, light-hearted posts, which I thoroughly enjoy. This poem, I hope, is fun and light-hearted (and very tongue-in-cheek.) Lezlee has been posting writings about her recent trip to Italy, one of my favourite countries and the place from where my family originates. So, ladies… this is for you both, with my thanks for blogging.
Oh- one more thing – the ‘dark and handsome Italian’ in the photo, is played by one of my sons, who’ll probably disown me for posting his photograph , especially in conjunction with this poem . (He’s nothing like the Italian in the poem. At least, in my mother’s heart, I hope he isn’t.) The shot of him was taken not in Italy, but in Greece, when they built the new ‘Metro.’
A Dark and Handsome Italian
——————–
Because he was
a dark and handsome Italian
and she was sipping caffé not ‘coffee’
in an outdoor trattoria that was SO
unlike ‘Denny’s,’ boasting red and green umbrellas
which read “ASTI CINZANO” in big white letters,
as he sauntered, not ‘sidled,’ up to her;
she did not deem it inelegant
when he perched, not ‘swooped,’ down beside her
and said, “Ciao, bay-bee” in an ACCENT.
Then, nary a glance to spare
at the lire she threw down
to pay for her caffé ,
he firmly grasped, not ‘groped,’ for her elbow.
And leading, not ‘propelling’ her away,
he said, “Vieni.”
So, come she did, not five metres further, nor
twenty minutes later, in a small side alley
off the – whaddayacallit? – ‘Via Vanilla?’
(she thinks that’s what he said)
And, because he was
a dark and handsome Italian,
not a nice Jewish man from Queens,
because he spoke, ‘La Lingua’
and didn’t know ‘no Brooklynese;’
because he left his shirt half-buttoned, so he could flaunt a little flesh,
because the crucifix displayed there made her somehow think of sex,
because his hair was just like the David’s
(styled purposely that way?)
what did it matter all the things she wished that he would say?
Because he was
a dark and handsome Italian
and not a “boring” boy from home,
she regarded it not as the tensing and flexing of
two people’s separate pelvic muscles, but… “Amore.’
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Your son is indeed dark and handsome! 🙂
Great poem! I like the mixture of her thoughts vs her "rationalizations" ! lol! 🙂 Its amazing how much more romantic something sounds by using a different word or language and/or accent! I have a serious things for some accents. 🙂
I know what you mean! That's what got me in trouble and how I ended up married to my (ex) Greek husband. It was that accent. Why do we think with our gonads when we're young, instead of our brains? (Speaking of- what do you think of my son? If you like that one, I have even more single ones to show you.) I'm teasing. My God- I hope they never read this comment- they'll kill me!.
haha….proud Momma! ….love it! I don't think they should be too embarrassed by the whole thing….its a bit embarrassing, yes, but its in a good way.
Yes, your son is mucho handsome…as I am sure they all are! ha! 🙂 But, alas, I am married (for 10 years) and I don't think my hubby would like me checking out young, single, handsome men….haha!
Why do we think with our gonads when we are young? hahaha…its the youth-thing…..new….fresh…..exciting….and I also think there is a certain confidence in being young, supple, and attractive……everybody wants you!
that's your son?uhm. wow.uhm… oh. the poem. sorry. anyway, yes. cute and funny. uhm. but your son? wow. he's HOT. heh. i have some single friends ;P tee hee!
Tee hee. You naughty girl, you. But, you have a good eye,if I do say so, myself. BTW – I have more that are also single.Ranges in ages from 20- 25. I have a photo of them on my website. They'd be lucky to date a beautiful girl like you. ( and I hope they meet someone who is also a good mother like you are, too.)
I agree and it's great to be married to someone we love. But, you know, we're married, not blind. I mean, there's no harm in just looking, now is there? ha ha. P.S. The other three are on my website, if you care to just 'window shop.' (joking again)
man. all my friends are 30+… how would they feel about dating older women? hehehe. you certainly have good genes. 😀
You have good genes, too. I'd love it if they dated older women. Older women would knock some sense into them. Older women have more self-esteem and don't forget, we still live longer than men, so it would even out in the end! Ha!
LOL. uhm. and not that you want to think about your sons' sex lives, but don't women's sex drives peak later in life, too? hehehe…
the subject…. par excellentthe poem…… pristinethe model.. priceless.<3
haha….I know what you mean…and I am not blind at all! I am just so much OLDER than your sons! ….hahaha…. 🙂
Thank you. Your son is priceless, too. (as is your daughter) looking forward to reading more about your trip…
You're really having fun with this, aren't you? Ha ha. I am absolutely sure my darling "babies" are all celibate. (yeah. right)
All joking aside now—you don't look much older than them at all. Your husband is a very lucky man. The day my sons bring home smart, fun and intelligent- thinking women like yourself, I will consider myself (and them) blessed.
Aww…now you're making me blush! 🙂
And you are also making me laugh because when I was younger and single, I was always the "take home to mom" kind of girl. And I always got the "we are so happy he finally found someone like you" speeches from family and friends. It probably sounds bad to say this, but it was actually kind of sickening sometimes.
And yes I am that old!!!! See!!! I am one year older than the oldest picture there.
And look who's talking? You certainly don't look old enough to have sons as old as these!!! Your husband is a lucky man, too! 🙂
I see your photos and I saw some of them on your site. I still insist that you look like you are in your twenties.Part of that is your joy of life, but I think women in general are just taking better care of our skin, etc. these days.I'm 51 and have been vain and almost obsessive about taking care of my skin, I admit. I imagine it must have been sickening to have been told by your boyfriends' families how 'wholesome' you were,. etc. That's not what I meant. If I could choose a woman for my sons (and of course, I can't) I would choose one with self-confidence and self-respect. If she had these things, then I'd know she'd picked her husband(my son) because he was her first choice and not because she'd settled for something. or because she didn't feel she deserved more, or because she was desperate or needy, or whatever other issues young women have too often. You exude that confidence, whether or not you feel it. It appears from your writings that you like yourself enough that you're very capable of liking others and empathising with them. A partner in a marriage should be a compliment to the other, not a supplement. Too often I've been introduced to young women by my sons who have incredibly low self-esteem. But a young man, who has his own issues, might not see that right off or before it's too late. It's the package we all- male and female- see when we're young. It is late here and I am babbling. Thanks for the ear. I'm off to bed. Your photos were lovely. Your name suits you.
Oooooooh @ your son! And he's half-Greek, half-Italian?!I loved the poem. It's uninhibitedly naughty and unashamedly honest and I just love that in anything!
Thank you. I don't know if this is true in your country, but here in the United States, many very young women view foreign men as "sexy' just because they might speak accented English or have different, more 'exotic' looks. That's fine for a roll in the hay. But we sometimes 'lose it' and go off and marry these men, for no other reasons than the two qualities I just listed. That's madness. (And I'm guilty of it, which is how I ended up with a half-Greek, half-Italian son. But- he was worth the heartbreak and I learned quite a lot, so I can't say I regret my girlish foolishness….
Has your friend settled at Berkeley yet? It makes life so interesting that Berkeley is within driivng distance of my home here in northern California. In fact, two of my sons considered going to university there.
It's really nice of you to remember. Yep, he's moved — not to Berkeley, California, but to Berklee in Boston. Berklee College of Music. Regarding your point about falling for 'exotic' men — honestly, I think that's a common failing of women all over the world 🙂 It's just the definition of exotic that changes. For instance, here, a half-Norwegian, half-Canadian (a cousin of mine married one) might be considered totally exotic, whereas in that part of the world, someone from Asia might be. It's hard everywhere not to confuse lust with love 🙂
Amen to that. And I think men are guilty of it, too. One of my sons loses his mind over women with French accents. Sometimes it's not the place the person is from, but the occupation that's the turn on. For example…musicians. Ha ha. I'm teasing you. (But I am a sucker for musicians, I have to admit.) Berklee in Boston is a brilliant school.I wish him all the luck. He'll be a bit cold in the winter though. That might be a good time for you to visit, if that's feasible. It will warm his heart.
hehehe… i'll bet they are celibate. just waiting for the right woman to come along. i know these things. because i'm a mom, too. and mia's going to wait also. hehehe.
Thanks for the laugh. This comment really made my day. And with all that's been happening over in Greece, I appreciate it all the more. My "dark and handsome Italian" son is cominng over for a birthday celebration today. I'll definitely show him this comment. (and your photo, so he can see what he missed out on by not getting to you first! Ha)
Good, and yet, ewww… I, too, like the way the poem shows people's rationalizations, even if I do have to cope with it being in its literal sense a poem about having sex with a stranger in the alley.
And because he wasA dark and handsome ItalianShe thought of the rash she developedAs the itching of love.
A partner in a marriage should be a compliment to the other, not a supplement. Too often I've been introduced to young women by my sons who have incredibly low self-esteem. But a young man, who has his own issues, might not see that right off or before it's too late.
haha….you are sounding like a very protective mama! We all have issues when we are young, male and female. If you raised them right, with the right values and the right examples, then you should show trust and faith in them to choose correctly. Dating is only the testing ground, as well. We have all been there. We are looking for the right one to prove the test of time. Time reveals so much since a long term relationship requires much more than the lust of youth.
I had an incredibly bad self image all my life and still struggle with it. To discount someone simply because they have a low self image would be cutting out a lot of potentials! You would have cut me out, if that was the case! hahaha! Self image does not mean desperation or settling….although I can understand how a mother would be worried. We all have many issues through our lives. The question is whether a couple will grow together or apart and if they bring out the best in each other. Compatibility is a complicated matter.
Trust your sons…..for a long term mate, they will choose wisely, especially with having such an amazing mama for an example as to the right type of woman! 🙂
Eww, Paxton. !!! I have to agree with you, but keep in mind, I'm just reporting the event, not advocating it : )
This is an remarkably astute, one-hundred-percent accurate comment and has given me a lot to think about. You've also relieved my mind somewhat, too, in more ways that you might imagine. Thanks! : )