Rome, The Eighth of Av

In the late afternoon,
On the Eighth of Av,
The chocolate gelato purchased
Not far from the Trevi Fountain
Was cool, refreshing, chocolate
As can only be had on a very
Hot Roman summer day.

That morning, our guide arranged
A catacomb tour on a private estate.
The groundskeeper had discovered
The underground place just after 
The war.  The archeologists who soon
Thereafter showed up explained the
Various symbols and translated the Greek

For him and he to us, pointing out
Lulav and etrog, menorah and Greek
Transliterated Hebrew names, marking
The disposition of Jewish deceased
In Rome before Rome razed
The city recalled by distant Jews
With the symbols of cult and temple.

We visited that huge
Underground with lights mounted
On hard hats the morning of
The Eighth of Av, and then
Back to the city, and a stop
By the fountain and deep,
Rich, dark chocolate gelato.

I didn’t make it to synagogue
That night, although I had the
Correct text to read.  Nor 
Did I eat nor drink the
Next day, although we 
Toured, even if I was 
Somewhat distracted and

Perhaps even a bit
Forlorn.  Then evening 
Came, sunset: I ate
And we went back to
The same place for 
Another cup of rich,
Deep, dark chocolate
Gelato.