Translation: Words by Salvatore Quasimodo

Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, 1485

This is Bora Mici's original Italian to English translation of the short poem Words, or Parola in Italian, by the 20th century Italian poet Salvatore Quasimodo. This poem expresses the poet's dilemma regarding his use of words to enchant others and himself, and how once an idea or an image has been rendered in words, much like once we have labelled something or someone we love, its aura disappears and we are left with nothing but our words, which also no longer provide consolation. In order to persevere in our endeavors, we must always leave the horizon of our expectations partially undefined.

Words by Salvatore Quasimodo

You laugh that I waste away for syllables 

and wrap around myself 

skies and hills, a blue hedgerow 

and the rustling of elm trees 

and the worried voices of brooks; 

that I swindle youth 

with clouds and colors 

which light shatters. 

I know you. Head over heels for you 

beauty lifts up your breasts, 

hollows out at the hipbones in a smooth curve 

widens around your timorous pubis, 

and redescends in a harmony of forms 

to your pretty feet with ten seashells. 

But if I get a hold you, there: 

oh words you also make me sad.