From Vallone il 19 agosto 1917 by Giuseppi Ungaretti
D’improvviso
e alto
sulle macerie
il limpido
stupor
dell’immensita
E l’uomo
curvato
sull’acqua
sorpressa
dal sole
si rinviene
un’ombra
Cullata e
piano
franta
VANITY
Suddenly
and high
over the rubble
the crystalline
stupor
of immensity
And then the man
bends over
a puddle of water
surprised
by the sun glint
and sees
a cradled
shadow and
a broken
plane
Wally Swist’s forthcoming books include, A Writer’s Statements on Beauty: New & Selected Essays & Reviews, a translation of Giuseppe Ungaretti’s L’Allegria / Cheerfulness, and Taking Care of the Horses, original poetry and translations, all with Shanti Arts. Some of his translations are forthcoming in Chicago Quarterly Review and The Montreal Review.
