From: “Isole Vicine” by Daniela Feltrinelli – Agorà & Co., Lugano 2018
PRIZE CINQUE TERRE – GOLFO DEI POETI (XXXth Edition)
PORTOVENERE
Grey stone walls
resting on equal rock
run towards the sea
to the striped church;
they follow the headland,
and open like eyes in double lancet windows,
in the doors facing the light
that illuminates the long broken cliff…
Daring and steep walls
challenge the secret abyss
and the continuous waves disappear
in the dark caves like mouths on the sea…
The walls rise to the top
to the austere and majestic castle
that dominates the whole village,
resting on the slope;
then they go down boldly
and protect streets, houses, squares,
between small hidden gardens.
Very tall houses face
the narrow marine channel
colored in a single front
and they look at the nearby green island
that under a luxuriant livery
shows a cut of vivid rocks …
And the ravines and impervious paths
barely touch the white cliffs,
always shining in the golden sun
open and exposed to the waves and to the light!
DANIELA FELTRINELLI
(Translated by Lidia Chiarelli)
