To Italy With Love

Today, it was asked of me
If I would return to Italy and live…
and what could I give
for reply?
Give up my friends,
My American ways ?
Spend the rest of my days
In Italy?
I love you Italy…
“tanta cara” to me,
but land of my father
Is not “‘Tis of Thee.”
Your shores are not my shores.
They are beauties to behold…
To commemorate inside of me,
To recall when I grow old.
I may never once more gaze your mountains,
never again drink your wine
Never again feast your fountains,
Never again, see your shrines.
Never once more be in Giulianova
You are a country divine !
No sky will be as your sky
No tongue will be as dear…
No people on this earth of ours,
Could mean what you mean here.
“Mille Gratia” for your invitation…
“Gratia tanta” for wishing my stay.
“Mille Gratia Cara  Italia”
But —
My heart is in the
U.S.A.!