Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Paolo Ruffilli

WHENEVER I GO

Then, at last
I get moving
notwithstanding
the urge to stay
as closely as I can
in sight of what I know.
But against that, I leave
only to return.
Nor do I know
what is so true
and convincing
about this thought . . .
a strong intuition
a sixth sense
driving me,
the sudden realisation
of a paradoxical
discovery,
that truly to find yourself
you must first
lose yourself.

Viaggio

Viaggio

Poi, alla fine,
mi metto in moto
nonostante
la tentazione di restare
nelle zone più vicine
in vista del mio noto.
Ma, in compenso, parto
solo per tornare.
Non so neanch\'io
cos\'è che vale
e mi convince,
quale pensiero . . .
un\'intuizione certa
un sesto senso
che mi spinge,
la coscienza fulminante
di una scoperta
paradossale,
che bisogna perdersi
per potersi davvero
ritrovare.
Close

WHENEVER I GO

Then, at last
I get moving
notwithstanding
the urge to stay
as closely as I can
in sight of what I know.
But against that, I leave
only to return.
Nor do I know
what is so true
and convincing
about this thought . . .
a strong intuition
a sixth sense
driving me,
the sudden realisation
of a paradoxical
discovery,
that truly to find yourself
you must first
lose yourself.

WHENEVER I GO

Then, at last
I get moving
notwithstanding
the urge to stay
as closely as I can
in sight of what I know.
But against that, I leave
only to return.
Nor do I know
what is so true
and convincing
about this thought . . .
a strong intuition
a sixth sense
driving me,
the sudden realisation
of a paradoxical
discovery,
that truly to find yourself
you must first
lose yourself.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère