Journal of Italian Translation

Gil Fagiani/Cesare Fagiani
Aren’t the poppies in this field enough
to set the air on fire this morning?
Concetta, step more softly as you go:
your hem is stirring up the air too much!
Concetta, my God, why are you running?
A thorn bush could cause you so much trouble
and how much more intense the fire grows
inside my heart that’s already in flames!
Go ahead! ... Take it easy as you walk
or the folds of your dress will not fall right!
The needlework will vanish, Concetta,
don’t carry on as if you are tipsy!
You’re trampling on all these lovely poppies
and you don’t want to listen to reason!
You’re making the ears of wheat strike each other,
they’re being shaken up and resent it.
The resentment ... of my heart and ... these ears
makes your petticoat lose all its worth!
II
Lanciano
Bands and bells!
This is Lanciano:
on top of three hills
in between the sun and stars
with the Maiella
almost near
and a drop
to the other side
made of sea.
Here is
my dear Lanciano
exactly the way it is.
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