Italy was almost - almost -
Too beautiful
The churches, the sun, the art

Something in me delights
In both Stockholm and Helsinki
(And Oxford's twilight too)

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien
Called it The Idea of Northerness

But not, for me, in ice and snow
And winter
Though I do love those too

Rather, Stockholm in sunshine
Gamla Stan, the medieval part

And memories of something lost
But remembered by Father Greeley:


Wherever the Catholic sun does shine
There's cheer and laughter
And good red wine
At least I've always found it so

Benedicamus Domino!