Nespoli Caduti - A Sicilian Poem

Nespoli is a fruit indiginous to Sicily, that resembles a large apricot .... Perhaps one of the best tasting fruit immaginable. Nespoli caduti or Fallen Nespoli was inspired on a trip to the country where I found acres of nespoli rotting on the ground. With an unemployment rate of 25%, This didn't make sense to me. The Nespoli is a metaphor for an older Sicilian culture that is lost or diluted. It is critical of Italian societal influences that have convinced Sicilians to look down their own language and under-value old fashioned concepts that represent basic understanding of the natural order of things. It is a testament to those like our ancestors who understood the law of the land; that is, if you don't work the land it will not bear fruit. And, that this language is inexticably linked to the land. Instead, many young Sicilians would rather live off the government pensions of their elders. Fruit and other Sicilian natural resources rot on the ground because it is economically imprudent to harvest.

Nespoli Caduti / Fallen Nespoli
by Ciro Attardo (Translation below)

Comu si ponnu vidiri i nespuli quannu sunnu caduti n'terra
Scafazzati cu i scarpi superbi
Cupunati cu i robbi Milanese e giornali Romani,
Abbrivirati cu i lagrimi di muntagni
E sputazza asciutta di tutti nonni viddani.

Comu si ponnu vidire a frutta du paradisu,
Muzzicata di Eva,
cu succu….tantu duci
chi scula di la lingua vagniata
n'capu u cori di Sicilia.

Comu si ponnu vidire i nespuli caduti,
Cupunata cu pruvulazzu fattu di machine,
Chi currinnu n'capu la autostata ,
Sciddicannu n'capu suduri e pisciazza di muli
Pi pigghiari la mancia municipali ,
Scurdannu la liggi di la terra,
Moralita di agricultura, e di la vita;
E scurdannu che venaddire esseri Sicilianu.

How can one see the nespoli
When it’s fallen to the ground
Crushed by high class shoes
Covered with Milanese clothes and Roman newspapers
Watered by tears from the mountain
And the dried spit of our peasant grandfathers.
How can one see the fruit of paradise
Bitten by Eve
With juice…so sweet
That drips down her wet tongue
Onto the heart of Sicily
How can one see the fallen nespoli
Covered with dust made by cars
That race on the highway
Sliding on the sweat and piss of mules
To get their municipal handout,
Forgetting the law of the land,
Morality of the farm, and of life;
and forgetting what it means to be Sicilian.

What Is So Special About This Tree!

This olive tree in Agrigento has shaded travelers for about 1000 years. The Greek temple in the background was built in 490 b.c.. Recently, an olive tree in southern Italy was carbon dated at 5000 yrs old.  Its exact location is kept secret. There are eight olive trees on the Mount of Olives in Israel  that existed when Jesus prayed there.  They still produce olives.  There is a black market for old olive trees that can fetch up to 5000 euros.  In the 1940's it became illegal to destroy old olive trees in Italy without permission from the goverment.

Sicily and in particular Ventimiglia (in oil painting below) exports high quality extra virgin olive. When I painted this, it was only appropriate for me to blend in this oil .   ....administering its first and last sacrament.

Mountain of Love and The Cannoli

Mount Erice

According to Sican and Greek legend, Mount Erice, located in western Sicily, was formed when Hercules' castrated genitalia fell to the earth from the grasp of a giant eagle.  The Greeks and Romans built temples to honor Aphrodite's and Venus on top of Mount Erice.  Here, women perfected the art of prostitution throughout centuries to honor the gods .  Many men, including Ulysses, traveled the known world to seek everlasting fertility and virility. Many did not survive the climb and in the 14th century skeletal remains pilgrims were found at the base of sheer cliffs. 

Layers of history were covered with layers of history. The Normans built churches among pagan temples. Today, the town has a medieval complexion.   Surviving un-shouldered hairpin turns, overlooking the earth far beneath, we were rewarded with spectacular views and delightful walks on ancient cobblestone streets. There was something romantic in the air. .....It was Maria's bakery. 

You see, Sicily is where the best cannolis are made. The best cannolis in Sicily are found in Maria's bakery in Erice. Those who survive the treacherous trek up the mountain are rewarded with pure sweet bliss.