Broccoli and Assisi

Summary

The website content is a personal narrative detailing the author's experience celebrating her birthday in Assisi, intertwined with acrostic poetry inspired by the occasion and the shared date with St. Francis of Assisi's feast day.

Abstract

The author, Jenine Bsharah Baines, recounts her birthday celebration in Assisi, which coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. She describes the festive atmosphere, her own illness, and the memorable experiences, including a parade and mass at the Basilica. The narrative is punctuated by two acrostic poems and a tanka acrostic, which serve as a creative outlet for her cherished memories. The poems reflect the spiritual and sensory experiences of the city, from the sound of bells to the scent of lavender. The author also acknowledges the inspiration drawn from Lucy The Eggcademic's vegetable/acrostic prompt and Rochelle Silva's pumpkin acrostic, showcasing a sense of community and shared creativity among writers.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep connection with Assisi and its patron saint, St. Francis, as evidenced by her decision to celebrate her birthday there.
She conveys gratitude for the simple pleasures and coincidences that made her birthday special, such as the inn's gift of fruit and the timing of her visit with the city's festivities.
The author values the power of memory and creativity, using acrostic poetry to encapsulate and relive her experiences.
She appreciates the influence and support of fellow writers, highlighting the importance of artistic collaboration and inspiration within the writing community.
The author seems to hold a reverent view of St. Francis of Assisi, as indicated by her willingness to participate in the religious celebrations despite being unwell.

Broccoli and Assisi

Two acrostics and a tanka acrostic

Writing a broccoli acrostic was WORK! Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

Be. Rein in the desire to jump into the deep end of the dream. Capture each moment in a memory net, then cajole them into a jar lidded with gratitude, opened with hallelujahs sung as steadily as a dripping tap. Last June’s lavender fields still scent Assisi, incense the Saint implants in humanity’s empty places.

My guy in Monterosso. Copyright of Jenine Bsharah Baines

“You have to celebrate your birthday with the Saint,” Father Anthony insisted.

St. Francis of Assisi and I share October 4. It’s my birthday and his feast day. Four years ago, a good decade after Father Anthony made his suggestion, I woke up on my birthday in Assisi.

I also woke up with a raging cold…but that didn’t stop me and my partner from watching the city put on its parade for the Saint and then heading to mass at the Basilica with the crowd.

When the inn learned it was my birthday, management sent up a basket of fruit. I remember eating apples I didn’t recognize, hoping apples’ renowned medicinal qualities would kick in FAST. The following two acrostics — the first, a tanka-acrostic — are my way of reliving these very cherished memories.

Awakened by bells, Paeans to the city’s saint. Parades will follow; led by medieval drummers, echoing my cresting heart.

Arriving this morning, an adventure proposed by a priest decades previously. Peals from the basilica tower summon me post-haste to the window. Leaning out, into Tuscany, my birthday, his feast day. Enough! No moment can eclipse this forever and ever amen.

Thank you, Lucy The Eggcademic (she/her), for the prompt Vegetable/acrostic. Also, Rochelle Silva deserves applause; her pumpkin acrostic captivated me.

Thank you, dear reader. You’re the apple a day that keeps the doctor away.

Broccoli and Assisi

A Pumpkin poem

An acrostic poetry challenge

About Me — Jenine Bsharah Baines

Take a walk with me…