The Italian is from Dante's Inferno.


Aroyo

Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita:
Midway through the journey of OUR life,
Some translate nostra as ''my,'' but why lie?
when we're discussing turmoil and strife.

Cammin can be rendered as ''journey,''
but I prefer Path, Way, or Walk--
I strive to use a forest-people term,
the way pilgrims talk.

Yet, I dream in my dreams of arroyos,
not verdant arbors. A parched gully,
but when it rains it drains out all the debris
to permit me to see my life fully.

The Path ahead beckons, but fear is there:
(a ghost, a saint, the branches of a wisdom tree)
all point firmly: this is the way up;
the arroyo never remains dry, says he.




Poetry by William Hughes The PoetBay support member heart!
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Written on 2026-02-02 at 14:57

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Ray Miller
Enjoyed the read. I found the punctuation in the last stanza confusing. Seems like there should be something stronger than a comma after "saint" and no need for a comma after "tree".
2026-02-04


jim The PoetBay support member heart!
Fascinating! You have a style of writing so unique, all your own. A joy to read.
2026-02-02