Poem
Giampiero Neri
FRESHWATER FISH
Lavarello is the Lombard name for a fishthat lives at the lake bottom. It has a tiny head,
like one who rarely needs to think. But by its
shape, it adapts to the depth. Silver white is
its color. It keeps to the confines of dark waters,
cold, and one assumes it’s lazy and pacific.
We see it occasionally on the fishmonger’s
counter, its body crowned by the redness of the gills.
© Translation: 2009, Ron Banerjee
From: Natural Theater. Selected Poems 1976–2009 by Giampiero Neri
Publisher: Chelsea Editions, New York, 2009
From: Natural Theater. Selected Poems 1976–2009 by Giampiero Neri
Publisher: Chelsea Editions, New York, 2009
ZOETWATERVIS
Een lavarello is in Lombardije een vis die op de bodem vanhet meer leeft. Hij heeft de kleine kop van wie
weinig moet denken. Maar zijn vorm past zich aan de diepte aan.
Zijn kleur is zilverwit. Binnen de grenzen van het koude,
donkere water lijkt hij bedaard en lui.
Soms zie je hem liggen in een viskraam, het lijf bekroond
met het felle rood van de kieuwen.
© Vertaling: 2011, Ike Cialona
Publisher: 2011, First published on PIW,
Publisher: 2011, First published on PIW,
PESCE D’ACQUA DOLCE
Lavarello è il nome lombardo di un pesce che vive sul fondodel lago. Ha la testa piccola, come di chi deve pensare poco.
Ma per la forma si adatta alla profondità. Il colore è bianco
argento. Sta nei confini dell’acqua scura, fredda e si suppone
pigro e pacifico.
Sul banco del pescivendolo si vede qualche volta, il corpo
coronato dal rosso vivo delle branchie.
© 1982, Giampiero Neri
From: Liceo
Publisher: Acquario-Guanda, Palermo-Milan
From: Liceo
Publisher: Acquario-Guanda, Palermo-Milan
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Poems of Giampiero Neri
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FRESHWATER FISH
Lavarello is the Lombard name for a fishthat lives at the lake bottom. It has a tiny head,
like one who rarely needs to think. But by its
shape, it adapts to the depth. Silver white is
its color. It keeps to the confines of dark waters,
cold, and one assumes it’s lazy and pacific.
We see it occasionally on the fishmonger’s
counter, its body crowned by the redness of the gills.
© 2009, Ron Banerjee
From: Natural Theater. Selected Poems 1976–2009 by Giampiero Neri
Publisher: 2009, Chelsea Editions, New York
From: Natural Theater. Selected Poems 1976–2009 by Giampiero Neri
Publisher: 2009, Chelsea Editions, New York
FRESHWATER FISH
Lavarello is the Lombard name for a fishthat lives at the lake bottom. It has a tiny head,
like one who rarely needs to think. But by its
shape, it adapts to the depth. Silver white is
its color. It keeps to the confines of dark waters,
cold, and one assumes it’s lazy and pacific.
We see it occasionally on the fishmonger’s
counter, its body crowned by the redness of the gills.
© 2009, Ron Banerjee
From: Natural Theater. Selected Poems 1976–2009 by Giampiero Neri
Publisher: 2009, Chelsea Editions, New York
From: Natural Theater. Selected Poems 1976–2009 by Giampiero Neri
Publisher: 2009, Chelsea Editions, New York
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