In bianco e nero [English translation]

I look at a picture of my mother

she was happy, she would have been three years old

she clutched a doll

the most desired gift

It was her birthday party

a faded black and white

I look at my mother at the time, and I see again

my same smile

And I think about how many times

I felt her far away

And I think about how many times ...

I wanted to talk to her about me

i wanted to ask her at least why of her

long and hostile silences

and moments of nonchalance

punctually I showed myself inflexible

inaccessible and fair

intimately fierce

fearing a silly rivalry

I look at a picture of my mother

she was happy, she would have been been twenty years old

hair gathered in a silk scarf

and a faded expression

Sharp glimpse of the sixties

of a beaming Catania 1

I scrutinize her in detail, and I find again

my own look

And I think about how many times

I felt her far away

And I think about how many times ...

I wanted to talk to her about me

I wanted to ask her at least why of her

long and hostile silences

and that arbitrary indolence

punctually I showed myself inflexible

inaccessible and fair

intimately fierce fearing

the innate rivalry

I wanted to talk to her about me

I wanted to ask her at least why ......

I wanted to talk to her about me

I wanted to ask her at least why ......

1. the town of Sicily where Carmen Consoli is born