March 20, 2013

Happy Spring!

Photo by New York Scugnizzo
The March or vernal equinox marks the beginning of spring, a time of rebirth and fertility. In celebration of the new season I would like to share a poem by the acclaimed Sicilian poet Salvatore Quasimodo from The Night Fountain: Selected Early Poems translated by Marco Sonzogni & Gerald Dawe, Arc Publications, 2008, p. 69.

The Seeds of Light

Sure, the fragrant cedars are wet with dew
but I smell your mouth only: scented star;
sure, the dawn spreads the seeds of light,
but I see because your eyes look at me.

I will sketch you in the petal of a magnolia,
in woods of myrrh, where at night sounds of water
soothe butterflies to sleep in satin cradles.