From the Fire Hills

Contents

vii CONTENTS Acknowledgments ix In Ravenna 1 I The Gothic Line 5 Vandals 7 San Luca 9 Lovers in the Capuchin Crypt 10 The Subjunctive Mood 12 The Screaming Toddler in Santa Maria Novella 15 Controlled Burn 16 II Aerial 21 From the New Republic 24 The Last Crusade 25 The Grotesque 27 Soft Costs 29 Labor Days 30 III Waterwalkers 35 The Barista of Sant’Eustachio 37 Bellagio 38 Wink 40 Hole in the Heart 41 The Churches of Italy 43 The New World 44 viii IV Ossi di Morto 49 Limoncello 51 Blood Orange 52 Dispensation 53 Truffle 54 Little Shoe 55 Santa Maria in Trastevere 57 Native 58 V Survival Italian 63 Before the Bombing 65 Pantelleria 67 Elegy 69 The Grief Industry 70 Anthem 73 Exile 74 ...