"La poesia appartiene a chi ne ha bisogno, non a chi la scrive." - Il Postino (1994) #worldpoetryday

 

Ode to the sea

Here surrounding the island,

There΄s sea.

But what sea?

It΄s always overflowing.

Says yes,

Then no,

Then no again,

And no,

Says yes

In blue

In sea spray

Raging,

Says no

And no again.

It can΄t be still.

It stammers

My name is sea.

It slaps the rocks

And when they aren΄t convinced,

Strokes them

And soaks them

And smothers them with kisses.

With seven green tongues

Of seven green dogs

Or seven green tigers

Or seven green seas,

Beating its chest,

Stammering its name,

Oh Sea,

This is your name.

Oh comrade ocean,

Don΄t waste time

Or water

Getting so upset

Help us instead.

We are meager fishermen,

Men from the shore

Who are hungry and cold

And you΄re our foe.

Don΄t beat so hard,

Don΄t shout so loud,

Open your green coffers,

Place gifts of silver in our hands.

Give us this day our daily fish.