A Brief Passion: A Poem from Patrizia Cavalli

An one-line poem by Italian poet, Patrizia Cavalli.

This short and bittersweet poem might seem to the naked eye a bit too short. In her original language of Italian though, Patrizia Cavalli’s words articulate a passing thought about love:

Penso che forse a forza di pensarti
potró dimenticarti, amore mio.

A more literal translation of this poem would highlight the thinking process. But it isn’t the thought which counts (for once!).

It’s the message of surrendering. Letting go of someone you once loved despite the relationship being over.

Because it’s February, a month known for love being in the air, it felt perfect to use.

You don’t often think about how a love you once had still occupies your mind even when your heart says it’s over.

So, while, yes, it is a short poem about love, it is so much more complex. The fact is, Patrizia (and translator Mark Strand) know that she is writing about a relationship ending. But the poem concludes with the endearing sentiment, “my love.” So you know there are no hard feelings. It’s only that the thought of the other may have popped up from nowhere… and the speaker knows they need to let them go. To move on.

The translator, Mark Strand, did a remarkable job focusing on the precision and emotion of it. Patrizia’s words don’t come across as rude, but wise. It’s also not written in the same style as Rupi Kaur’s poetry; Patrizia didn’t have a social media account while she was living and she did not make art (to my knowledge). She was an Italian poet who also earned her living as a translator. There aren’t any visuals but that of the written abstract concept of love as a fleeting thought—a message some may find strange because should love not encompass you entirely and forever?

There’s another poem in this collection which defines both the intense & fleeting nature of love, which is just as economical—it’s one that I adore. One I return to repeatedly. But that’s a poem for another day.

This month, I’ll be focusing on love poems which may look different due to cultural factors. Stay tuned for a hot minute (or two). Thank you for reading. Choose love and peace y que te cuides 🤍