"Seagulls," by Vincenzo Cardarelli. "Gabbiani," a poem by Vincenzo Cardarelli, translated in English by LiteraryJoint

Presented below is "Seagulls" (Gabbiani), one of the most well known lyrics by Italian poet Vincenzo Cardarelli (pseudonym of Nazareno Caldarelli, May 1, 1887 - June 18, 1959.)

A picture of poet Vincenzo Cardarelli

Seagulls

I know not where seagulls make their nest
where find they peace.
I am like them
in perpetual flight. 
I skim life
like they do with the water catching food.
And perhaps like them too, I cherish quietness,
the great quietness of the sea,
but my fate is to live
wavering in the gale.

by Vincenzo Cardarelli, from the collection "Poesie", 1942. 
From "Vincenzo Cardarelli: The Forgotten amongst the Great. A Collection of the Best Poems by Vincenzo Cardarelli, Translated in English," available as e-book on Amazon Kindle, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, on NOOK Book, on Kobo, and as printed, traditional edition through Lulu.

Original version in Italian:

Gabbiani 

Non so dove i gabbiani abbiano il nido,
ove trovino pace.
Io son come loro
in perpetuo volo.
La vita la sfioro
com'essi l'acqua ad acciuffare il cibo.
E come forse anch'essi amo la quiete,
la gran quiete marina,
ma il mio destino è vivere
balenando in burrasca.

by Vincenzo Cardarelli, from the collection "Poesie", 1942.