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Christian : Catholic
16th Century

 

About Vittoria da Colonna

Timeline (1492 - 1547)

 

 

| View All Poems by Vittoria da Colonna |

Translation by
Willis Barnstone

Original Language
Italian
I live on this depraved and lonely cliff

Themes
  Birds
  Lover and Beloved
  Smile
  Sun
  Water

 

Recommended Books

The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, ed. Aliki Barnstone

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, ed. Aliki Barnstone

 

 

| View All Poems by Vittoria da Colonna |

 

 

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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2004 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.