Journal of Italian Translation - Brooklyn College - Academic Home ...

John Pope / Grazia Deledda
The Dog
by Grazia Deledda
from Il flauto nel bosco
In the joyful morning by the seashore today, I found a dog.
Three peasants sat on the sand; beside them lay the closed
umbrella, baskets, and shoes that weigh the journey down.
The dog was in front of them, motionless with his paws in
the water, and through the bars of his muzzle he gazed out to sea
like a prisoner.
I was also walking barefoot in the water, and looked at him;
for I would rather look into the eyes of animals than those of
people, who lie.
The big dog looked at me: he had sweet green eyes and a
young, loyal face: and his high gray back was splashed with brown
continents, like a map. He immediately understood my state of
mind – good, since the weather was fine and the sea calm – and
followed me.
I heard his steps in the water behind me, like those of a child;
he caught up to me and touched me lightly with his snout to let me
know he was there, and as if to ask permission to accompany me.
I turned and caressed his velvety head; and I felt right away
that finally I too had a friend in the world.
He seemed gladdened by something new as well: from heavy,
he became light, running ahead of me, almost dancing in the water,
his clean paws emerging in a cloud of sparks: and every so often
he stood still and waited for me, turning to see if I was pleased
with him.
His eyes were happy, as I believe mine were; we had both
forgotten many things.
And the sea accompanied us as a third on this beautiful stroll,
likewise forgetful of its anger that too often rises up - though no
more often than our own. And the waves played with our feet.
In the humid mirror of the shore, the sun’s image preceded
us, stubbornly not letting itself be overtaken or looked at.
Two tall youths passed by, carrying a small blonde girl by her
arms like an amphora: then, no one.
I went on that way until I reached a distant place, a cemetery
of dead seashells, scattered like bones across a battlefield.
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