The Survivor Poem by Primo Levi

The Survivor

Rating: 3.0


Once more he sees his companions' faces
Livid in the first faint light,
Gray with cement dust,
Nebulous in the mist,
Tinged with death in their uneasy sleep.
At night, under the heavy burden
Of their dreams, their jaws move,
Chewing a non-existant turnip.
'Stand back, leave me alone, submerged people,
Go away. I haven't dispossessed anyone,
Haven't usurped anyone's bread.
No one died in my place. No one.
Go back into your mist.
It's not my fault if I live and breathe,
Eat, drink, sleep and put on clothes.'

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
A B Faniki 15 September 2019

Worth reading again. Nicely done

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Fabrizio Frosini 12 September 2015

ITALIAN ORIGINAL TEXT: ____________________ ''IL SUPERSTITE'' a B.V. Since then, at an uncertain hour, Dopo di allora, ad ora incerta, Quella pena ritorna, E se non trova chi lo ascolti Gli brucia in petto il cuore. Rivede i visi dei suoi compagni Lividi nella prima luce, Grigi di polvere di cemento, Indistinti per nebbia, Tinti di morte nei sonni inquieti: A notte menano le mascelle Sotto la mora greve dei sogni Masticando una rapa che non c’è. “Indietro, via di qui, gente sommersa, Andate. Non ho soppiantato nessuno, Non ho usurpato il pane di nessuno, Nessuno è morto in vece mia. Nessuno. Ritornate alla vostra nebbia. Non è mia colpa se vivo e respiro E mangio e bevo e dormo e vesto panni. (Primo Levi) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Survivor to B.V. Dopo di allora, ad ora incerta, Since then, at an uncertain hour, That agony returns: And till my ghastly tale is told, This heart within me burns. Once more he sees his companion’s faces Livid in the first faint light, Grey with cement dust, Nebulous in the mist, Tinged with death in their uneasy sleep. At night, under the heavy burden Of their dreams, their jaws move, Chewing a nonexistent turnip. ‘Stand back, leave me alone, submerged people, Go away. I haven’t dispossessed anyone, Haven’t usurped anyone’s bread. No one died in my place. No one. Go back into your mist. It’s not my fault if I live and breathe, Eat, drink, sleep and put on clothes.’ Primo Levi 4 February 1984

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Martin Swords 12 August 2007

Not gone.Not forgotten.The Messenger has delivered his Message.'Remember'

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