THE POEM

For love by Luigi Fontanella

We have stored our old dreams

in the basement, snuggled close,

they will keep each other company

they will tell each other tales

of our ancient splendors and sorrows

and of all the pearls we gave

to those we loved perhaps in vain.

Pictures trinkets papers and phrases:

how pathetic and odious they seem now

all jumbled together

with the scent of death in this

repetition. Gone is their fullness and nothingness

and perhaps repeating ourselves is all we know

living better

while living less.

Because everything, Rosanna, adds up

and nothing is erased. Just as the poet told

in the beautiful fable that seduced us yesterday

and clutches us tenderly today.

Monte Porzio, May 1987

(Translation by Carol Lettieri and Irene Marchegiani Jones)

From Angels of Youth (2000)

Xenos Books, Riverside CA – USA

Original title Ceres

First published in 1996 by Caramanica Editore, Formia, Italy

Ruvo di Puglia (Bari). Jatta Museum. A young man's face, detail on a Kantharos vase. Photo Archivio Fotogramma

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