Cunciuzza (Little Connie)The dead woman holding a rosary in her hands
seems to be watching you, with her shut eyes
(death takes you
when you hold your breath,
for your stony face listens
sees things no one has heard before):
thin, her neck twisted from her praying
in her white virginal dress
with pointy slippers ─ sweet smelling
among four candles
that yellow light that flashes
upon her mouth ─ c’etait jadis,
and she still calls.
(Translated by Gaetano Cipolla)