This poem was inspired after a walk in the park and giving thanks to the trees, the sky, the air we breathe, and all the other things that are often taken for granted in the West.

I am so Grateful

Here I sit comfortable and warm,

warming my toes by the open fire,

watching, watching the flames, dance across the embers,

the orange red glow of the embers,

I could watch those embers for hours,

and be lost in thought,

while it is giving up its warmth for me.

I am so grateful,

and feel so blessed,

Here I live in this beautiful land,

with home so warm and food aplenty,

I am so grateful,

and feel so blessed,

I have a garden that can grow most anything,

and I spare a thought for those with far less than me.

I have been, seen, visited and played on beaches,

 and islands,

and mountains so, so high,

rivers and lakes so, so clear,

always I am so, so grateful.

I have had joys and experiences that some would dream of,

I have travelled to far off lands,

and travelled this wide-brown land,

but always am so grateful to land back home,

and sit by the orange red glow of the home fire again.

Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio

13 August 2010

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This poem was inspired soon after returning to my home in Brisbane at the time, about the experiences that had been absorbed while in Switzerland, and then the joy of coming home.

Coming Home

We left the country of snow peaked mountains and deep gorges,

And lush green plains, where cows munch their way through the day.

The lakes wide and deep mirroring the beauty of the mountains and the trees.

In this country many languages are spoken,

In some parts German, French, Italian and others Romansh,

Not to mention the languages of the many visitors from the South and East.

T’would cause an Aussie to turn his head.

Here back home one is all you need,

Something to be said of a universal language,

At least one that is known by all.

We leave this fair land with its castles and Counts,

That is steeped in centuries of culture and history,

And wing our way to the land down under, my island home,

With white beaches, coral reefs, and Australia as far as the eye can see.

We return home to find it hot and muggy,

Storms a brewing not too far,

Maybe it will ‘dump’,

Now that will be a cool change,

In my absence this past time,

Many things have changed but all is still the same.

The many friends that we left behind come to embrace our return,

And there are so many more we wish to see and tell stories of our experiences in that far off land,

Of mountains, snow peaks, deep gorges, and lush green plains.

Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio

6 Nov 2007

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This poem was written soon after returning to Australia from a sojourn of over 12 months in Geneva, Switzerland.

This trip was undertaken to support my father-in-law who had undergone a heart-bypass operation. During the months that we were there we moved some 10 times, meaning that we were also able to experience a little of what that region of Switzerland and France had to offer. Things ranging from beautiful summers with meals in the garden to cold days of minus 12 degrees Celsius.

Also, found employment with the United Nations agencies based there in Geneva.

Farewell Geneva

Autumn has come again here in Switzerland, colours of blue, green, gold and red.

The blue of the sky, the green of the conifers and pines, the gold of the aspen, birch, elm and cedar, and the red of the ash and maple leaves just before they fall.

The mornings are cool and the afternoons temperate, and in the evening the city lights reflect in the stillness of the lake.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

We’ve been, seen, and tasted, driven over rugged craggy passes, and through lush green pasture with dairy cows grazing, while hearing the melodious sounds of their bells.

The high mountain views and clear blue lakes that go on as far as the eye can see.

And oh, the cheeses such variety and delicate tastes that words cannot describe.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

The people: white, black, yellow and tan are everywhere, to be seen in costumes un-associated with this local scene.

The local, the worker, the beggar, the tourist, they go about their daily tasks with cares and woes that only they know.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

Of the people that I have met here, from TEN, ILO, ICF, UNCTAD, WMO, WHO, and the Baha’is.

There are a special few with whom we share a very special bond.

We have laughed and cried and shared experiences.

I will be saddened to leave their good company, and they know who they are.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

The traffic here has given way to busses, bikes and scooters, as the distances are near and transport is inexpensive.

The dense population live in buildings rising from the street some eight floors, with construction styles that span at least five centuries.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

And now my time here in Geneva town has come to an end, we have been, seen, tasted and experienced this beautiful country.

I have packed my swag, and said my farewells, soon to return to the country of my birth.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

Here to start a new project, a new adventure, who knows where this new road will take us, and who will share this journey at our side.

I am sure that there will be new experiences and learnings along the way.

I look forward to the challenge this new experience brings, with my life-partner Briar, at my side.

And the crystal-clear rivers keep on flowing, down the mountain to the lakes and onward to the sea.

Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio

5 Oct 2007

Revised 7 Jan 2008

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This poem was written with my mother in mind after a visit with her. We would often talk about places she had visited. Often her artistic side would come out to discuss the view through the window in the morning when the dew hangs in the tree, and the sun shining through openings in the canopy, or the view of the pathway and how it secrets the viewer from what lies beyond. From these thoughts and other sharing this is what came to mind.

Happy Memories

Beautiful Days

Wonderful Moments

Special Times with a Loved One

Mountains that each of us have Climbed

Rivers and seas that I have crossed

All that I have learnt and experienced    in this mortal life

These are the times that I think back about and in my own time say,

My life was full

I ask myself from time to time

Where will my next journey take me

Who will I meet

What will I learn

WOW

Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio

13 July 2007

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I wrote this poem in 1986 when I was living in Israel while serving at the Baha’i World Centre. I was there volunteering for a 30-month period. During this time, I had the bounty of setting foot on some of the most holy places in the world. Memories that will serve me for my life and beyond.

Coming Together

Somewhere, … over the rainbow

Is where I’m meant to be,

Somewhere, … my love will find thee.

Our love will grow,

And we will show,

The whole world, we’re meant to be together.

For a wish like this,

is an awesome wish,

A wish that is meant till the end and beyond.

For our love will grow,

as our needs will show,

To be as one together.

So much has happened,

to each of us, to know,

that we can only grow, together.

Oh my Lord,

If we could only know,

We would be, Together.

Luigi Giuseppe Vittorio

Wednesday 2 July 1986

8pm Haifa Israel (Summertime)

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