Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Giampiero Neri

BOTANICAL VARIETY

The kind of plant
that lives in arid places
resorts to defending itself
with hard bark
and large spines.
But the variety of Opuntia,
its Latin name mirabilis,
puts its tiny thorns out
only at the intruder’s approach.

VARIETÀ BOTANICA

VARIETÀ BOTANICA

Si tiene alle difese
la specie delle piante
che vive in luoghi aridi,
con la dura corteccia
e grosse spine.
Ma la varietà della Opuntia,
mirabilis è il nome latino,
scaglia le sue minute frecce
al solo avvicinarsi dell’intruso.
Close

BOTANICAL VARIETY

The kind of plant
that lives in arid places
resorts to defending itself
with hard bark
and large spines.
But the variety of Opuntia,
its Latin name mirabilis,
puts its tiny thorns out
only at the intruder’s approach.

BOTANICAL VARIETY

The kind of plant
that lives in arid places
resorts to defending itself
with hard bark
and large spines.
But the variety of Opuntia,
its Latin name mirabilis,
puts its tiny thorns out
only at the intruder’s approach.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère