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