While Dianalee Velie was teaching poetry in Italy, she composed these poems to reflect her love of the country and for her cousins in Santa Croce di Camerina, Sicily. Italian Lesson celebrates the sights and sounds of Italy-explorations of the local food & drink, sightseeing expeditions, and the lively spirit of the Italian people as they welcomed and shared their way of life. Come along on her Italian journey and you too will fall in love."Page by page, we are served her sheer pleasure of being alive. Throughout Italian Lesson, imagery transcends the gastronomic to the historic and sacred." -Alexandria Peary, New Hampshire State Poet Laureate"I have never been to Italy, and now I have. These poems have given me this country through lovers' heightened senses: a wild and synesthetic journey." -Marie Harris, New Hampshire State Poet Laureate Emerita"Velie picks her poetic grapes, with care and insight, in poems that must be savored verse by verse. Che vino perfetto! Cin cin!" -Ala Khaki, poet, author of Return