Dedicato
a
Gioel R. & H. of W.
TREES
– the transition fr. the deep
root of Earth to the heavens above. 02
our most precious element (w. H20) is their gift
on the physical level but on the spiritual level they
provide us w. inspiration to ASCEND, to transmute, to open
to the heavenly realms surrounding us. Perceived
in vertical orientation, they are actually
imminent, in all essence, manifest.
The
Village functions as social
Spectrum, providing centers of learning
In times when learning is respected, of commerce
When notions of the market dominate the human realm,
& w. healing, when healing is needed by the organism,
They thus regulate the meridians & focus
of the village populace.
In
Historic villages, such
As those that encircle Mt. Amiata, the
Aesethics of the recent & distant past are
Perceived, providing for those who live in these
Mountains a focus beyond the plethora (& for the most
Part USA imported) videos, CDs & the banality of
The Radio waves, no longer even owned
Or protected by the lands where
They are transmitted.
Here
In the Amiata
Region, nature dominates & her
Sacred form is the Mt. itself. Here one
Might expect more than in other types of regions
Respect for Nature, especially for
The nature of the trees.
Alas,
For the loss
Of cultural focus, literally
Architectural & natural identity,
Conferring the circumference of energetic
Focus, symbolized & manifest by the relic, the
old Oak, the stone table, the monumental fountains,
Bathing not only the young in summer, but the
Spirit of those in need of the effect of
The monument, a respite fr.
The post-modern vacuity
In which we are obliged to live & which
We endure, each in his or her
Own
perimeter.
For
Shame, that in Castel del Piano
The 'Panorama' has been truncated, gone
The shade, the benches – Sandro Cieco weeps. Gone
The villagers gathered there, the graffiti – youth-
ful rebellion a sign of life or hope for
The future of the small 'paese'
& of the planet.
The
Cedars can not speak. Today
(28.1.12) the exposed roots call shameful
Attention to massacre. In a household of 3 dozen,
Must all members be slain because 2 or 3 are sick. In 50
Years no one has died fr. so called toxins
In the blood like resin of the
Grand parent
pine.
The
Naked open
Space – favored by village 'planners'
makes surveillance easy,
Can dream evolve w/o shadow, must
Romance seek the truly dark to bring forth
The profound fruit of love & then
Destroy itself for lack
of
shade
You
Speak of renewal I
Speak of massacre. The
Historic nature of these villages (& the tourists
They attract, so essential to the 'estivo'l
Economy) demands dedication to
Identity. Architecture
Is ( & was) (sic Nazi Germany) a
Potent form of mind control.
&
Tell me
What will you say next
Year when the elders come to
Venerios & find they have no shade
Beneath which they
May
Rest
In
Bagnore the
Spectre of the drill
Dominates. The percentage of
Cancer in the residents of Santa Fiore
& Bagnore itself shld. sound the alarm. Spectre
Of the multi nationals, fake promises of economic growth
Disappearance of the small local hotel, one, appropriately
entitled HOTEL GAIA – the appearance of a 'heliport'
Over acres of land, when even the so called
locals understand that 'Protezione Civile'
is a covernt reference to
the Italian
Military
(of which it is a sub division)
Bagnore
Was once proud to be
A 'denuclearized zone, first Bebe declared
The natural fountain 'his' – the EU followed suit &
The wind, air & underground waters,
By whose will does
The
Goddess
Prevail?
Rete Ambiente Grosseto—Laboratorio Amiata
Louise Landes Levi lives in a stone tower in a miniscule village—Bagnore, one of the many villages which encircle Mt Amiata, the highest peak in Toscana. When not in the tower she can be found on either of two islands—Man Hatta or Isla Margarita.
Her translations include Sweet On My Lips: The Love Poems of Mira Bai, Toward Totality: selected poems of Henri Michaux, and RASA By Rene Daumal. Her recent books: Avenue A & Ninth Street (Shivastan, 2004), Uvasi & Mohammed (Il Bagatto, 2005), Banana Baby (with facing Italian translations by Alessandro Tuoni, Super Nova, 2006), Tower 2 Tower or dc X (Il Bagatto, 2008), The Book L (Cool Grove Press, 2010), and Love Cantos, 1-5 (Jack In Your Box, 2011). Her electronic chapbooks The Highway Queen, Banana Baby and HO are available on Big Bridge. Photo by Ira Cohen.
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