A ‘poetic’ look at Italian politics

Here’s a fabulous poem written by an Italian poet in the early 1900’s–an amusing and quite realistic take on family and political life.

POLITICS

There’s such a great variety of opinions:
my father is a Christian democrat
and, since he works in the Vatican,
every night he says the rosary;

as for my brothers, Luigi the elder,
is a socialist revolutionist;
I am a monarchist instead, in opposition
to Ludovico who is a republican.

Before having dinner we often quarrel
because of our indisputable principles
some think one way, some another… Like a congress !

We raise hell ! But as soon as mum
tells us spaghetti is ready
we all come to agreement on that idea.

Trilussa (1915)

Here’s the original for those who care.  The Italian is southern.

La politica

Ner modo de pensà c’è un gran divario :
mi’ padre è democratico cristiano,
e, siccome è impiegato ar Vaticano,
tutte le sere recita er rosario ;

de tre fratelli, Giggi ch’è er più anziano
è socialista rivoluzzionario ;
io invece so’ monarchico, ar contrario
de Ludovico ch’è repubbricano.

Prima de cena liticamo spesso
pe’ via de ’sti principî benedetti :
chi vô qua, chi vô là… Pare un congresso!

Famo l’ira de Dio! Ma appena mamma
ce dice so’ cotti li spaghetti
semo tutti d’accordo ner programma.

Trilussa 1915