Ulysses
When I was in my younger days, I sailed
The coastlines of Dalmatia. Isles appeared
In bloom along the billows where sporadic
Birds hung in intent hunger over prey.
Those algae-slippery isles were glittering
Emeralds in gold sunlight. When a high
Tide and the night extinguished them, sails slipped
Leeward to deeper waters to evade
That perfidy. Today I am a king
Of no man's land. The harbor light is lit
For other men. I turn once more to sea
Impelled by an indomitable spirit,
By an excruciating love for life.
Umberto Saba (1883-1957)
Work
Once
my life was easy. The earth
gave me flowers fruit in abundance. Now I loosen ground that is dry and hard.
My spade
bangs against stones in the underbrush. I must
excavate far down. Like someone searching for treasure.
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