Alda Merini – Sono nata il ventuno a primavera / I was born in spring the twentyone

Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Summer offering, 1911

I was born in spring the twentyone
not knowing that to be born insane,
to open the turfs
a tempest could unchain.
And thus gentle Proserpina
sees rain fall upon the grasses,
upon the large gentle grains
and always weeps at night.
Perhaps it is her prayer.

(Transl. by Ercole Guidi)

Sono nata il ventuno a primavera
ma non sapevo che nascere folle,
aprire le zolle
potesse scatenar tempesta.
Così Proserpina lieve
vede piovere sulle erbe,
sui grossi frumenti gentili
e piange sempre la sera.
Forse è la sua preghiera.