Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CONVENT IN '45, by MARIA LUISA SPAZIANI



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CONVENT IN '45, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Time of white violets; and on the slopes
Subject(s): Italy - World War Ii


Time of white violets; and on the slopes
the snow was dying,
the spruces were piercing turquoise skies,
over their humble suppers
the friars were singing in Latin,
and the valley was furrowed triumphantly
with the flight of the Germans.

Time of white violets, youth's
arduous climb to the threshold of the moment.
You stun me still, you diamond flake,
uncontested realm of the rose
at the summit of the fresh clover slope

(nor did anyone ever tell us that the sweet
Hill of the Beloved,
grown so large the year before,
was only -- oh youthful illusion --
a heap of skulls).


Used by permission of Story Line Press.




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