Leopardi

027 - Leopardi
by Saleh Badrah

To Edoardo Crisafulli, who introduced me
to the sublime world of Leopardi.

And what vast thoughts,
What lovely dreams that distant sea evoked!
~ Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837)

Upon a lonely hill, beneath a tree,
Within the boundless realm of reverie,
Abstracted from the sphere of endless strife,
One misty evening all alone I sat
To ruminate upon your "Infinite",
Lulled by the cadence of a placid sea.

And when at last the mist had disappeared
At dawn a pearl within my heart appeared.

Published in the Saudi Gazette, Wednesday, 28 April 1999
Copyright © Saleh Badrah