Dall’immagine tesa
Clemente Rebora
Dall’immagine tesa vigilo l’istante con imminenza di attesa – e non aspetto nessuno: nell’ombra accesa spio il campanello che impercettibile spande un polline di suono – e non aspetto nessuno: fra quattro mura stupefatte di spazio più che un deserto non aspetto nessuno: ma deve venire, verrà, se resisto a sbocciare non visto, verrà d’improvviso, quando meno l’avverto: verrà quasi perdono di quanto fa morire, verrà a farmi certo del suo e mio tesoro, verrà come ristoro delle mie e sue pene, verrà, forse già viene il suo bisbiglio. |
From the image taut
Clemente Rebora
From the image taut I mind the instant with the imminence of wait – and await no-one: in the incandescent shade I search the chimes which unperceivable diffuse the pollen of sound – and await no-one: within these walls stupefied by space greater than a desert I await no-one: but he must come, and will come, if I endure blossoming unseen, he will come suddenly, when least I expect it: he will come as mercy perhaps for all that leads to death, he will come to assure me of his and my riches, he will come as solace for my and his suffering, he will come, perhaps he has already softly speaking.
Translation ©Matilda Colarossi |
This last poem from the collection Canti anonimi, written in 1920, is considered Clemente Rebora’s masterpiece, and one of the highest moments of 20th century religious poetry. His trusting appeal to God, his certainty that He will come, evoked with trepidation, and acute tension in the silence of the deserted room, culminates with compensation (il ristoro/solace): His word, softly spoken.
For more imformation about the author: http://www.ccrebora.it/Clemente_rebora.htm
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