La freccia e il cerchio
anno 1, numero 1, 2010
pp. 306-307

Alida Airaghi
The Soul

You barely exist,
almost thought:
full of truth.
Breath of the heart,
slight fear.
Stressed by listening.
Expected of the face.
Our wager,
and your promise.

*

My soul, wait.
In the dark you sense
The household objects,
you know that the furniture
look out into the emptiness.
It will come this evening:
The truest expectation
of every presence.
Suspended, measure the absence.
I hold your hand.
Imperceptible suffering,
faint images:
mood of the invisible
and hoarse words
unspeakable. Alone.

*

Inside me candle,
flickering light you hesitate;
pale you exist, resist
every breath, you are restless
almost putting yourself out: and you last,
small sail in a storm,
proud you pick yourself up.
You do not consume yourself, tall candle
immaculate and whole.
[…]