Girotondo d’api
Alveari in cerchio e in fila
nei campi a tempesta di fiori
fitta la trama dei voli
sul bel trifoglio e i girasoli;i cieli tersi e lucenti
le corolle protese al ronzio
i calici col nettare in gola
le api cisterne leggere;con forza e con audacia
sul tiglio e sull’acacia,
sull’erica e gli aranci
con slancio e con tenacia;e che bel polline in bisaccia,
nelle zampe incastonato
strabiliante, appetitoso,
per focaccia cucinato!Ciao bella casetta delle api
cassaforte dell’essenza lieve,
di natura d’ape e fiore
il dolce e prodigioso miele.
The Ring-a-Ring-a-Roses of the Bees
Beehives in circles and in rows
In the fields that are a storm of flowers
The network of flights is crowded
On the beautiful clover and sunflowers;The limpid shining skies
The corollas outstretched to the humming
The calyces with nectar in their throats
The bees’ lightweight cisterns;With strength and audacity
On the linden and the acacia,
On the heather and the oranges
With a rush and with tenacity;And what wonderful pollen in the knapsack
In the mounted legs
Amazing, appetising,
For cooked focaccia!Hallo lovely little house of the bees
A safe for the light essence,
Of nature of bees and flowers
Sweet and prodigious honey.
Translation courtesy of Marion Apley Porreca