Franklin C. Cacciutto
The two following concrete poems, the first from Emmett Williams’
Anthology of Concrete Poetry
and the second an adaptation for purposes of comparison and contrast in the classroom, are examples of analagous material that may be introduced to create a frame of reference for the sonnet.
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The nature of talk and of good conversation is, particularly for the Television Generation, worth speculating upon. Experience has shown that there is no need to translate these poems for the class; the poems may be presented in Italian, then puzzled out word by word. (Spanish-speaking students are invaluable here.) Once a setting is provided (dim lights, red wine, checkered red-and-white tablecloth,
bel canto
on the stereo) the class may be asked, simply, which poem would they title “Marriage,” and which “Divorce?” The ensuing discussion is likely to yield realizations about the place of talk in relationships, which will encourage an understanding of Shakespeare’s “I love to hear her speak.”
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1 voce
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2 voci
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1 dialogo
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silenzio
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sogno
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sonno
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amore
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(Carlo Belloli (1951)
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Emmet Williams,
An Anthology of Concrete Poetry
[unpaginated} )
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dialogo
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dialogo
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dialogo
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dialogo
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dialogo
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dialogo
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amore
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(Authors adaptation )
