A POEM FOR YOU FROM SICILY

From opposite sites of the Old Continent
you have got here, and all together
we’ve lived with very busy
the few days that have flown away.

Who came from Ireland, the enchanted island
so rich in sound and in magic atmospheres;
who came from Sweden, white and velvety,
and who came from Wales, with its busy mines.

Shy and sweet the beautiful Poland
that as a gift a great pope left us;
and finally Spain, the most vehement,
where colours are so hot and are so bright.

My island, with its loving hug
gave all of you its warm welcome;
it gave you what the most precious it owns:
its beauty and its so big heart.

Different languages, different traditions
throughout some days we have shared;
with friendship our opinions
With a smile we have always exchanged

But above all it was so fabulous
seeing in all the children’s alert eyes
in front of you that twinkling so curious,
those flashes in their smiling glances.

I want that they are able to understand
(it’s what I believe, it’s what I like the most)
as they are the future of all of us,
that it’s so easy and sweet living in peace!

Paola Battiato

testo in italiano e inglese [pdf]