A journal of art + literature engaging with nature, culture, the environment & ecology

Mediterranean (Mediterranea)

Maria Pia Latorre, Bari, Italy

 

Translated from Italian by William Allegrezza

How many seasons of basil and mint

are entwined in the hair

spun songs of summer heat waves

unraveled coils of hanging time

poised between salt and clay

that to scratch them one finds the past

mixed

recognition and refutation of the same sea “between the lands”

People board to find 

among waves that have passed a usable future

basin of the earth silent covered

that embraces stories 

perfumed with spice

Keep the seeds

for the season of basil and mint.

 

Mediterranea

(Original Italian version)

Quante stagioni di basilico e menta

intrecciate ai capelli

filano nenie le calure d'estate

matasse sbrogliate di tempo sospeso

in bilico tra il sale e l'argilla

che a grattarle ci trovi il passato

meticciato

agnizioni e rifiuti nello stesso mare 'tra le terre'

S'imbarcano genti a cercare

tra le onde passate un futuro agibile

conca la terra coperta silente

che abbraccia storie

profumate di spezie 

Custoditene i semi

per le stagioni di basilico e menta

 

Maria Pia Latorre is an award-winning novelist, editor, and poet from Bari, Italy. She has written numerous children’s books, edited books, and published poetry collections, including the well-received Gli occhi di Giotto (Giotto’s Eyes). Her books can be found on Amazon.it.

William Allegrezza edits the press Moria Books and the webzine Moss Trill, and he teaches at Indiana University Northwest. He has published many poetry books, poetry reviews, articles, and poems. He founded and curated series A, a reading series in Chicago, from 2006-2010. 

You can find out more atwww.allegrezza.info

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