La Bella Lingua

Beginning a grammar class today
with my usual ambivalence about learning Italian.

Part of the charm for me of being here is 

hearing Italian spoken everywhere 

and having little idea what's being said.

 I can, of course pick out some words here and there, 

but I'm largely ignorant, 80% in the dark.

And I like it that way. 

It's a magical mystery tour -
all poetry,
every speaker a great, gesticulating actor,
each with something beautiful to say . . .