ROOTS
Radici di vite
acqua di vita
le viti
la vita sotto il mattone
vita attorcigliata..
Roots of life
water of life
ancient vines
life under a brick.
Five red clay tiles
are missing
under the kitchen table
and there
grapevines grow,
they indicate the presence of water
deep down
underneath the dry sand.
My mother knows.
Don’t worry – she says –
roots break tiles.
There will be wine
on the table.
There is nothing
but shrines in this city.
Protectress of seamen,
and salors, Stella maris,
Maria, mare, madre.
Madonna under the water
protects us,
united at the root
under the water.
Grapevine roots grow long
and search for the water
which unites us all
where Maria comes from
and lives.
Nelly
Thank you