The Moon of Kyiv, a poem by Gianni Rodari

Gianni Rodari (1920 - 1980) was a playful Italian novelist and poet who mainly wrote children's literature. In view of the tragic situation in Ukraine one of the poems he composed in the 1960s has gone viral in Italy. The beautiful translation here below is by Matilde Colarossi (maticolarossi@gmail.com), whom I would like to thank for allowing me to share it.

Who knows if the moon
in Kyiv
is as amazing
as the one in Rome,
who knows if it’s the same moon
or perhaps just a sibling…
“But it’s me, it’s me you’re seeing!”
– it heartily protests–
“did you think
I was a night cap
for wearing on your head?
And travelling up here
I shed light on one and all,
from India to Zaire
from the Tiber to the Dead Sea,
my rays need no passport
to travel freely.”

Over the last twenty years 250,000 Ukrainians have made Italy their home. Of these 80% are women who are mainly employed as carers of elderly Italians. This army of women works very hard and regularly sends part of their earnings to their families in Ukraine. Their presence allows our old parents and grandparents to continue living in their own homes. There is one word we Italians should say over and over again to these women, and it is a huge 'grazie', thank you.

Over the last few weeks 32,000 Ukrainian refugees have also arrived in Italy. The first to arrive were probably the wealthiest or those who have relatives in Italy. Those who are now trying to reach Western Europe are the poorer, those who have nothing and nobody. It doesn't feel right to talk about holidays today, when so many Ukrainians are being forced to travel in order to save their lives. So, forgive me for not writing about Italian places of interest.

Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome