"Sera di Liguria" by Vincenzo Cardarelli; "Evening of Liguria," by Vincenzo Cardarelli, English version, translated by LiteraryJoint

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

Caspar David Friedrich's "Küste bei Mondschein" (Seashore by Moonlight,) 1835–36.  Kunsthalle, Hamburg. 

Evening of Liguria

Slow and rosy up from the sea rises
the evening of Liguria, perdition
of loving hearts and far away things.
In the gardens the couples linger,
one by one the windows light up
like many theaters.
Buried in the fog the sea exhales its scent.
The churches on the coastline resemble boats
that are about to set sail.

Vincenzo Cardarelli, "Opere Complete", 1962
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.

Sera di Liguria

Lenta e rosata sale su dal mare
la sera di Liguria, perdizione
di cuori amanti e di cose lontane.
Indugiano le coppie nei giardini,
s'accendon le finestre ad una ad una
come tanti teatri.
Sepolto nella bruma il mare odora.
Le chiese sulla riva paion navi
che stanno per salpare.

Vincenzo Cardarelli, "Opere Complete", 1962