LI FIJJI | CHILDREN |
Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli | trans. Michael Pickering (from the Roma dialect) |
Disidera li fijji, eh sora Ghita? Sí, ppe le bbelle ggioje che vve danno! Prima, portalli in corpo guasi un anno: Poi, partorilli a rriscio de vita: Allattalli, smerdalli: a 'ggni malanno Sentisse cascà in terra stramortita: E cquanno che ssò ggranni, oh allora è ita: Pijjeno sú er cappello, e sse ne vanno. Cqua nnun ze pò scappà da sti du' bbivi: Si ssò ffemmine, sgarreno oggni tanto: Si ssò mmaschi, te viengheno cattivi. 'Gniggiorno un crepacore, un guaio, un pianto! ... E vvòi disiderà li fijji vivi?! No, nnò, ccommare: Paradiso santo!* *Paradiso santo: wish that children enter Paradise at a very early age, when they are still innocent. A popular death wish to children. |
Do you really want kids, lady wife? For the joy that they bring to you here? Weighed down for three fourths of a year ... Giving birth at the risk of your life ... You breastfeed and mop up their poo and panic at each little cough: but as soon as they're grown then they're off hat on head and 'ciao mamma!' to you. You just can’t escape, either way: if they’re girls, then they’ll wander, be sure; if they’re boys they’ll be naughty some day. Gales of heartbreak and tears to endure. Are kids what you wanted you say? My dear, let them die while they’re pure! |
Trans. Copyright © Michael Pickering 2002