MARY ANN VITALE

 

Moon

 

Oh moon, stand still! 

Do not run!

Do not tumble down

The mountain 

And for one moment

Let me admire you

Do not go away  

Without greeting 

For I have so much to tell. 

This evening my heart

Is heavy laden 

A tightness is in the chest 

I wish to be freed 

I find hard to vent  

No one is there to listen.

But you, as always 

Inspire the lovers with feelings of love  

Astonish the children with wonder and awe 

Enlighten the elderly’s dry eyes 

Encourage the disheartened with your moonlight.

Keep me company 

For one moment only  

Do not pass by without greeting.

Oh moon, stand still

Wait, I need to talk!  

 

Starlit Sky

 

A radiance glows

In the dark sky 

Stars without end 

Hanging on the firmament.  

With eyes fixed upward   

I stare at the marvels

Created by God. 

They cannot be counted

Myriads

Of celestial luminaries

Twinkling 

They seem near

But are distant.

A street paved with lights 

I wish I could walk on

And with my hands

Shake a little star

And let it fall

On those who hope, at night  

Their dreams to come true.

I could spend hours admiring

The Milky Way 

Illuminated

With little stars, like diamonds

A velvety mantle

That envelops the Mulinazzo countryside

Earth and sky inseparable 

Like two lovers  

Locked in an eternal embrace. 

 

Illusions

 

Vague stars of the sky 

More than once   

I stood contemplating 

Talking to you 

Of sweet memories

Of lost dreams 

Of vain hopes    

And now I drown

In a sea of illusions.

From the town square

Resounded the toll of the clock 

The hours went by slowly  

You kept me company 

But never a whisper

In the dark of the night.

Ghosts were 

The gloomy thoughts 

Sweet deceptions

The hopes  

Elusive were the illusions.

My life

Immersed in dreams

My eyes glowing with joy 

Now all has vanished.

 

Sunset

 

Oh, sun

Do not drown!

Little by little

You drop at the horizon

And disappear inside the sea.

Whoever looks at you 

Remains perplexed. 

I don’t know

Whether to admire you 

Or be dismayed

To run

Or go into hiding. 

Only at the Mulinazzo countryside

In that glass-like sea

This sunset can be seen 

A ball of fire 

Slowly going down  

Then suddenly  

Sinking inside the sea.

Oh, sun

Do not drown!

Remain a little longer 

And allow to be admired 

For one moment is not long enough

To contemplate the miracle

And mesmerize everyone. 

 

MARY ANN VITALE

 

MARY ANN VITALE is an award-winning author of children’s books and a poet. She was born in Sicily, Italy. As a young child, she moved to the United States and resides in Michigan. At the age of 49, she was inspired by her granddaughter to write her first story, Simon, the Red Fish. That was the beginning of her writing career. Through the years, she has published 20 children’s books in English and in Italian. Her award-winning books, The Water Lily Fairy; The Street Where the Dollar Tree Grew; Fingerprints on the Mirror; and Hidden Treasures in a Book - Vol.1. Her latest historical book for adults, Lu jornu ca lu Mulinazzu chiancìu, in Sicilian language, is published under her maiden name Maria Anna Manzella. All her books can be found on amazon worldwide.