Italian Architecture
(photos by David Burdeny)
David Burdeny captures the stunning architecture of the Italian peninsula. From north to south, Burdeny’s sharp eye takes the viewer into unique spaces, some still private residences, others transformed into museums, others shuttered permanently and falling into decay. His compositional symmetry and attention to light and color betray his background as a practicing architect, as he gives value to the structure as a living, breathing figure. It’s easy to imagine the phantoms of history past floating through the scenery.
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I remember those windows. Through the broken glass, a summer breeze signifying I was alive and my heart was beating. It’s the nuance of life that we remember the most. ~ Natalie
Of course, the sky blue room wasn’t as opulent as this grand room. But at four, it sure felt like it was. It was the home next to my grandmother’s property; abandoned. Someone else’s leftovers and my real life playhouse. No, it wasn’t built in a tree but it had windows and white opaque curtains; discolored from the sun and age but I didn’t complain.
The fireplace contained the last ashes of the last fire that was lit in that grand room. I assumed it was Mrs. Burnette or Mr. Burnette. This time I didn’t bother getting into the fireplace to look up it’s chimney. I had already done that, in my new white fur coat and matching hat with my long dark curls. Walking in with the soot on my beautiful coat and my mother calling out my name louder, looking at me with complete disappointment.
When it came to my freedom with no fear and plenty of spontaneity, I didn’t hesitate on behalf of not cheating myself out of a wonderful experience. I had no limits or boundaries and I was definitely bound to experience more. As I remember hopping and skipping in all my freedom.
But Mrs. Burnette never left that house. Her spirit remained in all the rooms. I swore I pictured her and saw her. Yes, she was elegant and kind, though quiet, unlike me. I remember trying to convince someone that I was shy and quiet!
Mrs. Burnette became everything I wanted to grow up to be like. Refined and polished like the elites, the aristocrats in the movie “The Age of Innocence”. Well, let me tell you, there was no time to look or act refined after being hired to work in a very scientific technical environment after my college graduation. Though, I did get a Q clearance and I did some traveling which encouraged my freedom just as soon as I could land at the airport. I’d step on the gas and gave myself my very own tour of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver and more. San Francisco was a grand trip. I drove that rental car, acting as if I already knew the City of San Francisco and I got lost at the very top! I threw the map to the back seat and I had plenty of experiences to remember that trip. I remember the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley…I was still so young and impressionable. Here’s a small poem of sentiment and thank you for reading at Natswritings.com
How could I
Lose in
The presence
Of your company
Who would read
My words, today
Yesterday
And tomorrow
Think of it
This way
When I was born
And you were born
Someday we’d meet
The miracle of life
Has so much
To offer us
You, me…we
Looking up at the blue sky
Day or Night
I remember
When I was four
I saw my first plane
Though, it looked tinier than me
It was a promising sign
I was in store for
A lot more…and I continue
To look forward to you in my life
~ Natalie
So rooms became a big part of my life in those places I visited, stayed and never forgot. After, finally arriving and checking into the Claremont, I twirled and threw myself on the bed. It was perfect and not like the experience in Vancouver. That’s another story to tell. It’s in there somewhere. ~ Natalie
The Claremont Hotel in Berkeley
This room in the Claremont.
