This brief poem by Vittorio Sereni is composed of a series of anastrophes: these inverted sentences seem to have been assembled, taken apart, and then reassembled to lessen the pain of the inevitable death. And the rhythm is hiccupy as though set to the beat of sobs.
| Quei tuoi pensieri di calamità e catastrofe nella casa dove sei venuto a stare, già abitata dall’idea di essere qui per morirci venuto – e questi che ti sorridono amici questa volta sicuramente stai morendo lo sanno e perciò ti sorridono. Vittorio Sereni | Those thoughts of yours of calamity and catastrophe in the house where you have come to stay, already inhabited by the idea of having here to die come ―and these who in friendship smile at you this time surely you are dying know and so smile at you. by Vittorio Sereni Translation ©Matilda Colarossi 2022 |
From the collection Stella Variabile by Vittorio Sereni, Giulio Einaudi Editore.
For my father.
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parallel texts: words reflected 
Grazie. Stupenda.
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Having friends smiling at you in the house where you have retired, perhaps eventually to die, is not such a catastrophe, is it? In fact, maybe a blessing … The ages of the person who is narrating, of the friends, the inhabitants, are all similar, with congratulations for the one (‘ti’) who has “made it.” There is no irony in this, only reassurance, is how I read it. Nice.
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