little street
or vicolo. There are traditional and
modern takes on hand painted ceramics and you can watch artisans at their craft
in some studios. Take the time to visit
several and you will be amazed at their workmanship.
Wander around making friends with these
cheerful creatures and you will become cocksure in Orvieto!
Oh.....that ode? Here is the little one who leaped into my hands on my first visit to Orvieto so many years ago and the ode she inspired.
Ode
to an Orvieto Pitcher
Oh handmade pitcher from Orvieto!
Who fashioned the cockscomb frill
around your head?
What clever artisan
created a beak for your spout?
Or did you spring fully out of the kiln
and prance onto the worktable
demanding to be painted
with bold turquoise, rose and green
flowers
and golden singing bird?
For centuries you have been fashioned
to grace our tables and hold our milk.
You bold and sassy piece of work,
passing from generation to generation.
You inspired many plates and pots,
who clamored to strut their stuff,
leaving off their Renaissance patterns,
stately though they were,
to become bold and playful creatures.
Sitting quietly on a dusty shelf
with your twin brothers and sisters,
you called out to me to take you home
when I wandered into a shop in Orvieto.
Now, you are cousin to my flowered egg
cup,
doting aunt to my coffee mug,
and sister to my creamer.
You make me smile each morning
when I see you on my window shelf.
I can’t wait to fill you up now
with fresh-squeezed orange juice!
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