Florentine Rain

A wash of color

Variegated shades of gray and blue

Rain drenching stone

Paint and water, diluting

Variegated shades of gray, blue, and white meld together in the mist like watercolor paints running down a canvas. As I stroll by the Piazza di Santa Croce, I smell fresh rain intermingling with the earthiness of leather from the vendor stalls. The vibrant purses dangle from thick straps along the edges of the kiosk, swaying slightly in the breeze. The air is crisp and heavy with water droplets. The Basilica I pass every morning on my way to class seems weightier amidst the ashen walkway and overcast sky. The rain alters Florence, revealing new facets of the city I have spent the last week exploring. Then, the Basilica bells fill the piazza, resonating against the stone, enriching the air with harmonious sound – more robust because of the stillness accompanying the rain and diluted color palette. Verdant plants enclosed in wrought iron window boxes - like precious emeralds adorning filigreed crown -dot the city washed in gray. Umbrellas, held jauntily to avoid knocking passersby on the narrow sidewalks, punctuate the streets with bright plaids, polka dots, and stripes. Bicycles and motor scooters add geometric juxtaposition to the Renaissance and Baroque-era buildings, demonstrating a city both past and present. Florentine rain captivates.

[This post was written by Stephanie Meier, a doctoral student in Consumer Science. Her research interests include healthcare access and decision-making.]