Italian-English translation by Andrea Bergantino

Clemente Rebora

Dall’immagine tesa vigilo l’istante con imminenza di attesa –E non aspetto nessuno: nell’ombra accesa spio il campanello che impercettibile spande un polline di suono –e non aspetto nessuno: fra quattro mura stupefatte di spazio più che un deserto non aspetto nessuno. Ma deve venire, verrà, se resisto a sbocciare non visto, verrà d’improvviso, quando meno l’avverto. Verrà quasi perdono di quanto fa morire, verrà a farmi certo del suo e mio tesoro, verrà come ristoro delle mie e sue pene, verrà, forse già viene il suo bisbiglio. This poem was written by the Italian author Clemente Rebora in 1920. It is about the eager anticipation of the fulfilment of a prophecy, highlighted

by the intensive use of verbs in the future tense. It is usually interpreted in a religious sense, but it may also be open to other interpretations, as prophecies are.

As a tense image I watch for the instant In the imminence of waiting –And I expect nothing: In the bright shadow I spy on the bell Which imperceptibly spreads A pollen of sound –And I expect nothing: Inside these four walls Astonished by space More than the desert I expect nothing. It must come though, It will, if I endure To bloom unseen, It will come all at once, When I feel it the least. It will come as forgiveness For how painful it is, It will come to make me sure Of its own and my bliss, It will come as relief Of mine and its suffering, It will come, perhaps it’s coming, Its whisper.