Chi mi ha insegnato [English translation]

Who taught me to speak,

to express what I feel?

Who taught me to speak,

so that I could be understood by others?

He did not teach me the words

in order to tell you what I would like.

He did not tell me how I might do it—

to convey to you my love with different words.

Who taught me to write

to express a fleeting thought?

Who taught me to write

to trap a fleeting moment?

He did not tell me how I might write

something great that you talk about.

He did not tell me how I might write

the long poems that make you dream of me.

Who taught me to live

from sunrise to sunset?

Who taught me to live

among the people of the world?

He did not tell me how I might live

those long evenings without having you close by.

He did not tell me how I could do it—

to live alone without our love.