Proximity to life

An Italian woman talks to her family

on the phone in my local park. I know

the names of at least five of her kin

within minutes. They seem to be lined up

and ready to jump in front of the screen

and share new life updates. She greets each

one with the same amount of enthusiasm

and volume: Che brava! Che bravo!

All are complimented and offered

awe from the depths of her potent

longing to be with them. Saying goodbye

required Ciao! Ciao! to be repeated many

times. She goes back to playing

with her friends and sustains the same

infectious joy and laughter. Proximity

has nothing on her sense of feeling

fully alive. It is fitting, I think, that this

scene takes place among the bright,

blossoming, freshly arrived spring.