Poesia per Roma [English translation]

I've been away for ten days

You say smile and you die inside

I've grown tired of everyone

Women, cars and friends at times

And yet I never grow tired of you

Sometimes I think about the Tiber and then I sing

Even if Rome isn't just the center

To me you're beautiful like a faded doubt

Like a shelter for a thief

You're as beautiful as an Angel and as sin

Isn't it enough for you? Say it, isn't it enough to be immortal?

When you shut down and the sun sets so much beauty is left

You're beautiful even without the sea...

Down there in the Parioli 1 the kids are beautiful

But for me there aren't two eyes that survived these parking lots blinking

'Cause Rome is the Colosseum but not just that

Rome is this broken bench that gives dreams to that kid

Rome is an open window heavy with clothespins and cloths

It's a child with a football who came from San Giovanni

My father took me to the stadium on sundays

And I still keep with great care the first scarf in my closet

"Rome head of this infamous world"2

My first recital as a kid, I sang it with my heart.

It's not San Pietro but this church that is falling to pieces

The real Rome is in the alleys that you tourist don't appreciate

It's a lost battle with corrupt politicians

But you talk about it and then you laugh because in Rome you don't give a damn

It's a lunch at my place with the friends of a lifetime

Those who lose at cards and blame the bad luck

You want to be calm without too much stuff

The world is falling on your shoulders and you find strenght in a "daje"3

I've been away for ten days and I miss you so much

Tomorrow I'll come back and first of all I'll go and buy a pair of gloves

Because writing about you takes respect

Thank you for remaining lit on when I didn't have a bed.

1. Rich neighbourhood of Rome2. It's a verse of "Roma capoccia", a song by Antonello Venditti.3. In Roman dialect it can have multiple meanings, from a "come on" "let's do it" "keep going" to an exclamation when something good happens, like a "yes!"