Prologue to the Albe
Don’t be an ass
my friends
tell me.
It’s a word.
How can I go against
my asinine nature?
I can’t… I can’t… I caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan’t!
I’m condemned
by these enormous ears
I’m condemned to listen to complaints
all complaints
with these ears I don’t miss a single one.
Some complain of hunger
some complain of thirst
some complain because they can’t breathe
some complain of being tortured
and some complain because their children are kidnapped
and sold at the market like onions.
I listen to all these complaints
and those shrill voices
like chalk on blackboards
all recorded here
inside this donkey’s nut.
Don’t be an ass
I tell myself
I to me.
It’s a word.
How can I go against
my asinine nature?
I don’t even improve with age.
How I envy humans
and their pocket ears!
Blessed are humans for they are deaf
and the deaf shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Earth for the asses, mournful
march
and as if it weren’t enough I get moved
like an idiot
always with shining eyes
always with wet eyes
like an idiot in front of the television.
In front of the television I’m moved
at the cinema I’m moved
in station waiting rooms I’m moved
in public lavatories full of obscene verses
Giulio I’m your slut phone me
I am moved
as before the Infinite…
Am I an idiot? Am I an imbecile?
Am I an ass?
Yes, I’m an ass
and I can’t help
shedding
tears…
From Siamo asini o pedanti? (Are We Asses or Pedants?) by Marco Martinelli, published by Essegi, Ravenna, 1989
