You who live safe
in your warm houses,
you who are returning in the evening
hot food and friendly faces: Consider if
this is a man who works
in the mud
that knows no peace
fighting for half a loaf
dying for a yes or a no.
Consider if this is a woman,
no hair and no name
no more strength to remember
eyes empty and her womb cold
like a frog in winter.
forget that this was:
Remember these words.
Engrave in your heart
staying at home or in the street,
lying down, getting up.
Repeat them to your children.
O vi si sfaccia la casa,
la malattia vi impedisca,
i vostri nati torcano il viso da voi.
(Primo Levi - Se questo è un uomo)
in your warm houses,
you who are returning in the evening
hot food and friendly faces: Consider if
this is a man who works
in the mud
that knows no peace
fighting for half a loaf
dying for a yes or a no.
Consider if this is a woman,
no hair and no name
no more strength to remember
eyes empty and her womb cold
like a frog in winter.
forget that this was:
Remember these words.
Engrave in your heart
staying at home or in the street,
lying down, getting up.
Repeat them to your children.
O vi si sfaccia la casa,
la malattia vi impedisca,
i vostri nati torcano il viso da voi.
(Primo Levi - Se questo è un uomo)