Larry "Lorenzo" Cionca Requiescat in pace Romae

 As a tribute to my brother Larry, with honor, heartfelt remembrance and a nod to his exuberance for life at its best, especially for his beloved Eternal City, where he spent so much time enjoying la dolce vita, I offer up this brief illustrated account of my recent camminata throughout Rome's Centro Storico to spread small portions of his remains in iconic locations which he no doubt passed by any number of times during his soggiorni there.  It was a mission of purpose, memory and profound resonance as he was my first guide, again a piedi  in 1978 as he led me around to many of his favorite haunts, even in the pouring rain, as I recall.

Fermata #1

By this olive tree in the Domus Aurea park that overlooks the Colosseum, I planted the first portion of Larry's remains.  It's a lovely tranquil park adjacent to perhaps the most famous of ancient Roman ruins which he would have passed by on countless occasions and perhaps even taken a sip of vino or two while lounging on a park bench.

Fermata #2

Just down the way from the Colosseum, between the extended area of the ruins of Trajan's Forum (Foro di Traiano) and the imposing, and rather gaudy, Victor Emanuel Monument (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, aka Typewriter or Wedding Cake), I found this rose bush among the omnipresent archeological work in progress and thought it a suitable spot for a touch of Larry's presence to witness the unending reconstruction and renovation of Rome's ancient public places.

Fermata #3

Piazza Navona, one of the most iconic piazze in Rome, features the Fountain of Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) at its center, with two smaller fountains at either end, and is a gathering place for tourists as well as locals at all times of the day and night and Larry would have strolled by it innumerable times in his daily meanderings.  Since the water pools are cordoned off by large iron railings, and the water is a bit defiled by coins and bits of detritus, I opted instead for an observer's reference point and found this potted plant by an adorable scale size Pinocchio outside a trattoria that looks directly into the square.  The famous puppet will be a loving companion to the spirit of Larry and his essence.

Fermata #4

The Tiber (Tevere) functions, among other things, as a fluvial border between the city of Rome and Vatican City. (That's St Peter's Basilica right under the arch in the top photo.)  No doubt Larry would have crossed over and strolled along the banks of the Tiber any number of times after an evening of wine and gustatory delights in the company of friends and colleagues. The river now takes away a portion of his remains in its daily flow to the sea.

Fermata #5

In a city replete with iconic public squares, the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Steps, is no doubt at the top of the list for any visitor to Rome.  Cinematic images from films such as Roman Holiday with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn or the action film Mission:Impossible wherein Tom Cruise races down the steps on a motorcycle in a chase scene that ranks as one of the best ever - such images make an indelible mark on the moviegoer's imagination.  Even filled with tourists and gawkers, it nonetheless holds its charm, and along the border among the green hedges viewable in the second picture, I spread the remainder of Larry's ashes, next to the courtyard of the John Keats house museum.  As a literary scholar, professor and frequent denizen of Rome, Larry shares a communality with the great poet memorialized on this spot.

It was a privilege and honor to reexplore these parts of Rome in memory and tribute to my brother who we will miss to the end of our days.