A Life Once Dreamt Of (La’libertas)

A Life Once Dreamt Of

by JOSEPH BRYANT (Italian Stallion)

Italy in the vast distance
swallowed by the dim horizon;
torn through bodies of the wizen,
a path of vicious resistance.

(At the age of eight, he was sent overseas
towards Ellis island, alone in a bleak boat.
Scared he huddled in the corner crying
as he held hands with the girl next to him.
Unable to speak the native language,
he ventured for freedom in America.)

Bountiful rain and waves wizen
rumbling with dark persistence
engulfing all of existence
but a floating ships horizon.

(Still holding the girls hand, he rose to his feet
as he heard the boat hit land and give a jolt.
His eyes watered and a smile embraced his face
he kissed the girl and said, “viva la dolce vita!”
Running towards the exit, Ellis island came to view
he dropped to his knees and raised his head crying.)

Spiagge di tranquillita, sottoforma d’airone sopra le citta; ho sognato
un giorno la mia liberta, posso ancora spiccare il mio volo da uno scoglio.

*The La’libertas, a 22-line (4/6/4/6/2) poetic form created by Laura Lamarca. The stanza rules are as follows:

Stanza 1 – rhyme scheme ABBA, 8 syllables per line.
Stanza 2 – Free verse, 6 lines ONLY
Stanza 3 – Rhyme scheme BAAB, 8 syllables per line.
Stanza 4 – Free verse, 6 lines ONLY
Couplet – Italian (Any language acceptable)

How the La’libertas got its name is from the word “libertas” which is Latin for “liberty” and “La” is Laura Lamarca’s signature.

Literary Diaries

A Life Once Dreamt Of (La’libertas)

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