‘A Cucina È Perfetta
‘A cucina è perfetta, è ‘a casa,
Vapore ‘e dint’’e pignate,
Addore ‘e caso grattato ncopp’’a távula,
Doje fenestelle aperte,
‘A supponta sott’’a távula accunciata,
‘O poco ‘e vino mpont’’a lengua,
È primmavera e sta criscenno ‘a vasenicola,
Se sta sentenno na canzona,
‘A sperlonga ncopp’’o bancariello,
Stammo assettate e guardammo for’’a porta.
The Kitchen Is Perfect
The kitchen is perfect, it is the home,
Steam from within the pots,
The odour of grated cheese on the table,
Two small windows open,
A shim adjusted under the table,
A bit of wine on the tip of the tongue,
It is spring and the basil is growing,
We’re listening to a song,
The oval bowl is on the little counter,
We’re seated looking out the door.
* Self-published in 2010, Meridiunalata / Southernade is a treasury of poems gleaned from Cav. Sant'Elia's previous collections (Nchiuso dint''o presente, 'A cuntrora, and 'O pino e l'éllera), which were circulated among friends in New York City and Naples. Special thanks to Cav. Sant'Elia for allowing us to reprint his poetry and translations.
