print preview
Italianback CORRADO GOVONI
translation from Italian by Paula Bohince
Cicada
In gray camouflage, in full sun,
I clung to the bark of an oak;
such was the thrill of singing,
uninterrupted and steady in the drought,
a gigantic, pulsing reverberation,
the song my sweetest drink,
until from behind came the fast,
shadow-less hand of a child.
Bottled, I became drunk with spinning
in that sling, singing,
singing, as in a dream, almost without
voice, corked as wine is. 
Contributor’s notes: Corrado Govoni
Contributor’s notes: Paula Bohince
Cicada
Moon and Dogs
The Rain in February
Return to My Country