Scotland

Beautiful, cool, prosaic, Scotland
slipped through me like the ghost
of someone I never knew. Quiet,
unchallenging, train rides and
sedately punctual schedules
suit the land of tea and halibut.
It's kissing your grandmother's cheek.
But Italy, oh, the noise and chaos,
cappuccino and cacophony,
tapestry and pastries richly filigreed,
arrogance that swans and stalks --
now that will leave you breathless.