| BUENOS AIRES
di Dino Campana Il bastimento avanza lentamente Nel grigio del mattino tra la nebbia Sull’acqua gialla d’un mare fluviale Appare la città grigia e velata. Si entra in un porto strano. Gli emigranti Impazzano e inferocian accalcandosi Nell’aspra ebbrezza d’imminente lotta. Da un gruppo d’italiani ch’è vestito In un modo ridicolo alla moda Bonearense si gettano arance Ai paesani stralunati e urlanti. Un ragazzo dal porto leggerissimo Prole di libertà, pronto allo slancio Li guarda colle mani nella fascia Variopinta ed accenna ad un saluto. Ma ringhiano feroci gli italiani. |
BUENOS AIRES
by Dino Campana The passenger ship advances slowly In the grey morning through the fog On the yellow waters of a fluvial sea Appears the city ashen and veiled. We enter a strange port. The emigrants Go mad, they grow fierce, they throng In the acrid elation of imminent battle. From a group of Italians dressed Ridiculously in the fashion of Buenos Aires oranges are tossed To the dazed and squawking paesani . A boy, very slight of frame The offspring of liberty, ready to act, Looks on, and clutching a coloured Ribbon he raises his hand in greeting. But the Italians snarl ferociously. . Translation by ©Matilda Colarossi |
The poem “Buenos Aires” by Dino Campana, from Inediti, was first written in a travel log where Campana wrote what he called “impressioni d’arte”, artistic impressions. Although the poet is on the same ship with other emigrants he is detached, almost hostile. The verbs and adjectives he uses are harsh, critical of the fellow travellers, the “paesani”, “fierce” and “squawking”. He was 23 when he emigrated to Buenos Aires in search of a new life and with a desire to learn about new places and new peoples.
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parallel texts: words reflected 