Una donna in lutto (A Woman in Mourning)

Sicilia, mio cuore
Oggi non sono fiera di te.
Anche il cielo si chiude
E il vento si ferma.

La nostra storia di intimidazione.
Non quella che viene
raccontata al mondo,
ma quella che viviamo noi.

Una volta, per le tue vie camminai
E tra aranci e olivi giocai.
Una volta, la mia isola bella,
Ma ora non ti conosco piu`.

Una terra in cui sacro e profano si mescolano.
Paesani, svegliatevi!! Abbiamo perso la nostra voce.
Minaccie, punta e spara, bugie forgiate,
Questa e` la nostra croce.

Una terra di pena
Tutti sordi e muti, le nostre bocche cucite.
Abbiamo la corda intorno al collo.
Stasera sono una donna in lutto.

Bastonano i nostri ragazzi per strada,
Oggi, mio fratello e domani, forse il tuo.
Loro con gli occhi neri e noi con i cuori spezzati,
Stavolta eravamo fortunati.

Terra nostra che beve il sangue dei morti.
Silenzio, solitudine, anime incatenate.
Sento i lamenti, il pianto di una mamma.
L’ombra che soffoca il nostro cuore.

Lottiamo per il bene
Ma ci costera` la propria vita.
Insieme contro loro
Fuori Cosa Nostra!! Fuori dalle case nostre!!

diLuisa Photography › Portfolio › Una donna in lutto (A Woman in Mourning)

Una donna in lutto (A Woman in Mourning) by diLuisa Photography

Sometimes I don’t love my country so much…..this is a strong part of the love/hate relationship that I have with it.

English Translation

Sicily, my heart
Today I am not proud of you.
Even the sky closes
And the wind stops.

Here is our story of intimidation.
Not the one that is told
to the world,
But the one that we live.

Once, I used to walk through your streets.
Amongst orange and olive trees, I used to play.
Once, you were my beautiful island,
But now I no longer recognise you.

A land in which the sacred and the profane mix together.
People of Sicily, wake up!! We have lost our voice.
Threats, point and shoot, forged lies,
This is the cross that we bear.

A land of suffering,
We are all deaf and mute, our mouths sewn shut,
With a rope around our necks.
Tonight I am a woman in mourning.

They beat our boys with sticks on the street.
Today, my brother but tomorrow, probably yours.
Black eyes for them and bleeding hearts for us.
This time we were lucky.

Our land drinks the blood of the dead.
Silence, solitude, chained souls.
I hear the moans of grief, a mother crying.
The shadow that suffocates our heart.

Let’s fight for what is good,
But it will cost us our lives.
Together against them
Get out Cosa Nostra! Get out of our homes!

Comments

Lisa Jewellover 2 years ago

Firstly, thank you for the translation, I wish I could read Italian and I hope to one day very soon. This is heartbreaking….watching and experiencing the change of the land into something dark. My thoughts are with you and may the good fight be won.

xoxo
Hey Lisa!! Thanks for reading this!
Unfortunately this has been a problem in Sicily for longer than most can remember….it has been a part of our culture for so long, that it has become ingrained into our identity and accepted as a part of life. And I do not think it will ever change. As beautiful as my people are, they are equally as pessimistic….and after years of intimidation, they believe that this is a battle that can no longer be won. And sadly, I think they are right.
Thanks again for your comment…..L xxx
– diLuisa Photography
raymondoantonioover 2 years ago

UNFORTUNATELY NOT JUST SICILY, BUT EVERYWHERE!! LA COSA NOSTRA, CAMORRA IN NAPLES, TRIADS ETC AND NOT TO MENTION THE GUTLESS, CORRUPT POLITICIANS WHO EITHER DO NOTHING ABOUT IT OR WHO TAKE THE BLOOD MONEY FROM THESE VILE , EVIL MEN!! POWERFUL WRITING LUISA!!! XO
You are absolutely right my darling….this problem exists everywhere!! However, obviously for me this one here is on my “doorstep” and affects the people I know and love on a daily basis!
And again you are right…..vile, evil, gutless and corrupt…..these are the words that I think of too!!
xxx
– diLuisa Photography
mikequigleyover 2 years ago

Great laid out verse about how some selfish people put fear and hardship on others for self centred gain – mq
thanks for your powerful comment…..and I agree! It’s all about self-centred gain……
xxx
– diLuisa Photography
CLiPiCsover 2 years ago

ciò rompe il mio cuore, e mi rende il dolore per voi

Spero voi e la vostra cassaforte di soggiorno della famiglia e bene

Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
Kriss honey, did you google translate that?? hihihihihi!! It is Italian, isn’t it?? hihhihi
You are too sweet and cute for trying!! :) :) :)
Much love and laughter all the way back to you!!
Luisa xxxx
– diLuisa Photography
CLiPiCsover 2 years ago

Posso parlare un piccolo italiano ma ho fatto ho bisogno dell’aiuto :-)

Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
allora bravissimo caro….almeno ci stai provando!! e non ti preoccupare……ti capisco……beh abbastanza!! :) :)
bacioni, Luisa
– diLuisa Photography
CLiPiCsover 2 years ago

I am trying . . . very :-)

Grazie Bella Luisa

Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
deb1957over 2 years ago

(((luisa)))
thanks deb!
– diLuisa Photography
Kim McClain Gr...over 2 years ago

Powerful !
yep……this story is powerful for me too…….because it affects my home and the people I know and love……I am happy that I was able to convey that and more importantly, that you were able to feel it!!
thank you gorgeous one!
xxxx
– diLuisa Photography
Hector A. Encinasover 2 years ago

You have such a extraordinary Italian voice in poetry; this is such a fantastic piece.
thank you so much!! I am really glad that you liked this piece……..and my poetry voice!! :) :)
(Although, my voice in real life isn’t too bad either!! hihihi!)
xxxxxx
– diLuisa Photography
Christie Mosesover 2 years ago

Your writing is simply amazing. This piece is obviously written from your very heart and it touched mine deeply. One day I will be able to read this without the translation ;) xxox
Christie…….coming from a talented writer and a gorgeous woman like you……….well, that just brings a big, silly grin to my face!! Thank you!! I am so glad that my writing was able to transmit enough power and feeling here……as it’s a topic that is very close to me and those I love.
Good luck with your Italian learning……you know, I am a language teacher……so if you ever need any help, you just let me know!!
Much love to you, xxxxxx
– diLuisa Photography