The following translation of "Vagito" (Baby Wailing) by Giovanni Pascoli is from the book "The Poems of Giovanni Pascoli: Translated in English, with Original Italian Text," published by LiteraryJoint Press (2017). Also available as Amazon ebook (Free on Kindle Unlimited!) and on Kobo.
Baby Wailing
Mommy...white, on a bed that is white,
you sleep. Who was that on your face composed
that satisfied sorrow and that tired smile?
You sleep: around the languid pillows
all is turning white. Around you all things
make small hushing signs.
And all turns into a dawn and all is silent. Is this
the purpose, is this the beginning of a rite?
Through a silence of white laces
speaks the mystery in a baby wailing sound.
From the collection “Myricae” (1891-1900)
Vagito
Mammina... bianca sopra il letto bianco
tu dormi. Chi sul volto ti compose
quel dolor pago e quel sorriso stanco?
Tu dormi: intorno al languido origliere tutto biancheggia. Intorno a te le cose fanno piccoli cenni di tacere.
E tutto albeggia e tutto tace. Il fine
è questo, è questo il cominciar d’un rito?
Di tra un silenzio candido di trine
parla il mistero in suono di vagito.
From the collection “Myricae” (1891-1900)
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