Il ritorno di Edipo in patria

Not to be born is, beyond all estimation, best; but when a man has seen the light of day, this is next best by far, that with utmost speed he should go back from where he came.—Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus 1225–28

They thought he liked to stay in bed,

But later found that he was dead.—Savage

If I could but recall from whence I came

I'd go there, but the memory I’ve spent

Has left me metaphorically blind and lame,

Unable to remember where I went.

I recall a white-coated man with shears

In a large room with other babies

Who all of them were wailing bitter tears—

A sharp pain; nurse staunched the bleeding.

And this left me with these PTSD fears,

Which have survived decades of needing.

Anyhow, there’s no good rhyme for maybe’s,

Anyhow, it’s almost time for feeding.

These days I find relief in writing verse.

Something tells me, It could be worse!

But I shall soon be good to go,

But where exactly I don't know.

Perhaps in some strange kingdom in the sky

I’ll meet my prepuce flying by!

There are a million poets in the United States,

All lined up waiting at the Pearly Gates.

Q. Why is the title of this poem in Italian?

A. Fucked if I know!

A note on the Savage epigraph: "This line is a reference to the poem [1924 short story, in fact] "The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell, which explores themes of survival and the human condition. It suggests a deeper narrative about misunderstanding and the consequences of assumptions," the AI research assistant says. Given that Richard Savage died in 1743, and I made up the quotation myself, this analysis of it could scarcely be more revealing!

Friday, November 21, 2025