In gondoleta

Step into the serenade of late‑nineteenth‑century Venice through a collection of barcaroles and lyrical verses written in the city’s own dialect. The poet, signing as Rataplan, offers intimate snapshots of moonlit gondolas, quiet lagoons and the soft murmur of lovers strolling along the Molo. Each poem reads like a gentle song, its rhythm echoing the sway of the water and the sigh of the evening breeze. The introductory note explains the unique spelling used to capture the true sound of Venetian speech.

The verses celebrate love in its many shades—tender longing, playful flirtation, and the wistful ache of parting—while the surrounding cityscape becomes a living character. The poet’s careful attention to sound, from the lilting cadence of “dolçe” to the whispered “çità,” makes the pages feel like a private concert for the ear. Though rooted in a specific time, the emotions remain universal, inviting listeners to feel the hush of a lantern‑lit canal. This volume offers a melodic journey that transports you to the heart of Venice without ever leaving your seat.