Dialect Poetry of Southern Italy (Italian Poetry in Translation Book 2)

Sicilian Cart

All spokes whirring high on the road
and ─ with harness tassels and bells ─
scintillating in the sun.
Dual rumble of wheels
swirling kaleidoscope
on the rugged mount
of a song.
And, close
black eyes
tactile treachery of shadows
cold embroidery
of breasts pricked with flame.
Embraced by shafts
the mare
harkens to bells and song
(mute like the earth)
and suspires the shadows.
(1954)
(Translated by Justin Vitiello)