Allan Grant, A girl daydreaming during class, Florida, March 1947
[454]
Mi fu data dagli dei –
che ero bambina –
Ci fanno regali – si sa – perlopiú
quando siamo nuovi – e piccoli.
Io la tenevo in mano –
non l’ho mai posata –
non osavo mangiare – né dormire –
per paura che andasse via –
Udivo parole come «ricca» –
mentre correvo a scuola –
da labbra agli angoli delle strade –
e cercavo di resistere a un sorriso.
Ricca! Ero io proprio – a essere ricca –
a prendere il nome dell’oro –
e oro possedere – in barre massicce –
La differenza – mi rendeva fiera –
Emily Dickinson
(Traduzione di Silvia Bre)
da “Uno zero più ampio”, Einaudi, Torino, 2013
∗∗∗
[454]
It was given to me by the Gods –
When I was a little Girl –
They given us Presents most – you know –
When we are new – and small.
I kept it in my Hand –
I never put it down –
I did not dare to eat – or sleep –
For fear it would be gone –
I heard such words as «Rich» –
When hurrying to school –
From lips at Corners of the Streets –
And wrestled with a smile.
Rich! ’Twas Myself – was rich –
To take the name of Gold –
And Gold to own – in solid Bars –
The Difference – made me bold –
Emily Dickinson
da “The Poems of Emily Dickinson”, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass.), 1955
Poesia in rete 