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| View All Poems by Vittoria da Colonna |

I live on this depraved and lonely cliff

by Vittoria da Colonna
(1492 - 1547) Timeline

English version by
Willis Barnstone

Original Language
Italian

Christian : Catholic
16th Century

I live on this depraved and lonely cliff
like a sad bird abhorring a green tree
or splashing water. I move forcefully
away from those I love, and I am stiff
even before myself so that my thoughts
may rise and fly to him: sun I adore
and worship. Though their wings could hurry more,
they race only to him. The forest rots
until the instant when they reach that place.
Then deep in ecstasy, though quick, they feel
a joy beyond all earthly joy. I reel,
and yet if they could recreate his face
as my mind craving and consuming would,
then here perhaps I'd own the perfect good.

 

 

-- from The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone

Amazon.com

 

Themes

  Birds
  Bliss
  Bower
  Lover and Beloved
  Smile


Recommended Books


The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone

 

| View More Poems by Vittoria da Colonna |

 

 


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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.