I LIVE UPON THIS WRETCHED SOLITARY CLIFF – Poetry, by Vittoria Colonna

I LIVE UPON THIS WRETCHED SOLITARY CLIFF

I live upon this wretched solitary cliff, like a bird of sorrow that shuns green, branches and clear water: And withdraw, from my worldly loves, and my very self, so my thoughts may fly swiftly to that sun, I worship and adore. And though they fail, to spread their wings as I wish, yet if I call, still they fly back from other paths to this. And in the instant that they reach the place, where I send them, ardent, happy, their brief joy surpasses every delight on Earth by far. And if they could but re-create his noble form, just as the burning mind desires, I might own my portion of perfect good.

(Vittoria Colonna)

http://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Colonna-Her-Life-Poems/dp/1144177235