Almanac Poetry: ‘Pizza in Lucca’ – James Walton
Pizza in Lucca
I start on the wing but it’s like running out on the MCG
There’s a slight twinge in my hammy from too many church steps
I make for the centre to cut off the fast breaking anchovies
The cheese blind turns just out of my reach
The platter seems to be getting bigger the match is tight
I need the break and a nice cold orange slice
The coach is yelling I’m too loose not closing in finessing
And the captain is calling go harder Jim go harder
There seem to be Ligurian olives running free everywhere
I’m bumped hard from the blind side reeling head down
Rising at half forward the game three quarters done
The tomatoes exquisite slipping from my grasp
A Canadian from the table opposite is off to the hockey in Milano
He’s driving there mad I think but I have to concentrate
The sublime garlic is a comet passing over my head
Still a little dazed from the running charge of the forgotten spinach
Nearing the scoring end a tremble in my fork hand
A very good half litre house vino rossi nearly finished
The personal stretcher bearers of ambition flagging
A siren of last mouthful the muscle memory of basil
I told you to order the small play smart you say concerned
As I decline the Dolci and you order Tiramisu
Doubts creep in but no you just have to know when the game is over
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About James Walton
James Walton is published in many anthologies, journals, and newspapers. He has been shortlisted for the ACU National Poetry Prize, the MPU International Poetry Prize, The James Tate Prize, and the Ada Cambridge Prize. Five collections of his poetry have been published. He was nominated for ‘The Best of the Net’ 2019, and was a Pushcart Prize 2021 nominee. He is a winner of the Raw Art Review Chapbook Prize. His fifth poetry collection, Snail Mail Cursive, was published by Ginninderra Press in January 2023. He now resides in Wonthaggi, Australia, in an Edwardian house which was once a small maternity hospital.
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Love it James! Had one of the best pizzas ever when I was in Lucca. Brought back fond memories.
It was certainly a mouthful. I don’t want to upset anyone, but there’s also the consideration of how much a St Kilda jumper, the real old one, looks like a pizza when spread flat!
Loose Olives Everywhere