Ruthless Memory (Memoria spietata) by Vincenzo Cardarelli

Edvard Munch, Melancholy (1894)

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.

Ruthless Memory (Memoria spietata)

Oh, ruthless memory, what have you done

of my village?

A village of ghosts

where nothing has changed but the living beings

that usurp the place of the dead.

Here all stands still, enchanted,

in my remembrance.

Even the wind.

How many times, oh place of my birth,

within you I came to seek

what belongs to me most and I have lost.

That ancient wind, those ancient voices,

and the odors and the seasons

of a time, alas, already lived.

From the collection "Opere Complete," 1962, by Vincenzo Cardarelli.

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.