You made me laugh, you made me think, you opened up your hearts <br />And to me your painting’s secondary, you are all a work of art <br />You gave me back what I thought lost and instilled in me a pride <br />When that first night, you comforted, a colleague as she cried. <br /> <br />Naively loud within your crowd, each there for one another <br />Supporting as true friends do, each a sister and a brother <br />To homesick friends, those feeling down or others who feel ill <br />Loving hearts cure anything; you don’t need doctor’s pills. <br /> <br />The fire went out in Vesuvio but was rekindled in your hearts <br />And I hope that friendly fire, never will depart <br />For when Napoli meets Glasgow, that’s as good as it can get <br />And you, Napolitani students, are ones I won’t forget. <br /> <br />To meet with you, to dine, to drink, to talk with you, a pleasure; <br />And the memories I take from this, are ones I’ll always treasure <br />As a month away from families, loved ones or just friends <br />Can make a life a bit surreal, that’s when we show pretence. <br /> <br />You made me laugh, you made me sad but mostly made me proud <br />And I couldn’t pick a better class or choose a warmer crowd <br />You’ve an innocence and charm, mannerly and fun <br />How could I pick a favourite or select a special one? <br /> <br />You all touched me in special ways and I never could foretell <br />That the sheepish ones I met that night in a Paddington hotel <br />Would stay with me forever, forever in my heart <br />And that each and every one of you, is a precious work of art.<br /><br />PAUL COLVIN<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/students-8/
