Il Dio uomo
Ed ecco sentire
nel grembo di mia madre
grida assordante che ribaltavano
eco maschio
di colui che sa tutto
che vuole tutto
e non si replica mai
al suo volere.
Potere messo lì dagli uomini
paurosi, che non ragionano
che non ascoltano
che non hanno un briciolo di umanità.
Io già nel grembo di mia madre
sapevo che venuta alla luce
avrei dovuto piegare la testa
senza oppormi
alla volontà del
Dio uomo sulla terra.
E come un Dio accettavo la sua voce
i suoi insulti
la sua ira.
Io donna
lo guardavo mentre crescevo
e guardando
quel Dio maschio
mi resi conto col tempo
quanto è grande l’amore
e la pazienza di una donna.
Zaira Sellerio
The God-man
And here I feel
in my mother’s womb
deafening cries that overturned
male echo
of the one who knows everything
who wants everything
and never replicates
to his will.
Power put there by men
fearful, who do not reason
who do not listen
who do not have an ounce of humanity.
I already in my mother’s womb
I knew that when I came into the world
I would have to bow my head
without opposing
the will of the
God man on earth.
And as a God I accepted his voice
his insults
his wrath.
I woman
watched him as I grew
and watching
that male God
I realised in time
how great is the love
and patience of a woman.
Zaira Sellerio
Review
The poem offers an intense and heart-rending reflection on the condition of women forced to live in relationships of subjugation and violence, the result of a deeply rooted macho culture. With powerful and evocative imagery, the author describes how from the womb, the ‘deafening cries’ of an oppressive reality begin to be heard. This reference to the male echo underlines how power and authority are often exercised by men who, out of fear and lack of empathy, refuse to recognise the dignity and value of women.
The use of the figure of the ‘God-man’ represents an incisive criticism of the dominant mentality that considers women as subordinates and slaves, deprived of their dignity and forced to bend to a will that does not recognise their humanity. The author describes the pain and powerlessness that accompany a life lived in the shadow of insults and violence, highlighting how difficult it is for a woman to find her voice in a world that silences her.
Her ability to recognise ‘how great is a woman’s love and patience’ not only highlights female resilience, but also the sacrifice and strength required to face adversity. This observation is a powerful reminder of the importance of liberating women from the culture of subjugation, promoting a society in which respect and love can prevail.
In conclusion, the poem is a cry of pain and a testimony to the suffering of women living in a system that considers them as worthless objects. With her emotional depth and incisive criticism of the macho mentality, the author invites the reader to reflect on the urgency of a cultural and social change that finally recognises the voice and dignity of every woman.
Project theme WOMAN
The poem donated by Zaira Sellerio is part of a project dedicated to the theme of Women, the proceeds of which will go to an association for the defence against violence against women.
The book, the fruit of this collective effort, is produced under the patronage of: UN, Women’s Chair, Wikipoesia, Wikipace and Accademia Tiberina.
Some awards for her works
- Arturo Massimi’ national poetry prize in October 1999 in Mentana – Rome;
- Plaque for the fiction prize at the international ‘Pelosa’ competition in Messina, in November 2000.
- Poetry plaque in October 2000 awarded by the Province of Rome.
- Antonio de Curtis’ international competition in Rome.
- Poets and Society Delegation of the German-speaking part of Switzerland Prize (international merit mention competition).
- Unpublished Poetry Prize 0, fifth edition prize/ topicality – Bartolucci, finalist diploma, 27 October 2001.
- International artistic-literary competition, Antonio de Curtis ‘Totò’, Rome 22 October 2002.
- ALIAS (Accademia Letteratura Italo Australiana Scrittori), with the collaboration of c.r.a.s.e.s of Palermo.
- International Literary Competition 3rd prize ex-aequo of poetry, 10 October 2003.
- First prize in poetry gallery ‘Il salotto dell’arte Roma, 22 March 2009
- UNA VITA PER LA CULTURA PRIZE ‘Galleria Salotto dell’arte ROMA’.
- 2014 – IV Premio Letterario Internazionale Europa for the novel (DAL PROFONDO DEL CUORE) – 11 May 2014 LUGANO.
- II NAVARRO Prize for the novel (DAL PROFONDO DEL CUORE) on 13 May 2018 in SAMBUCA DI SICILIA – Sicily.
- LILLY BROGGI ‘LA PERGOLA ARTE’ Special Prize for the novel (DAL PROFONDO DEL CUORE) Florence, 27 October 2018.V
- Prize for the novel (DAL PROFONDO DEL CUORE) A VERSILIA GLUB “MASSA CITTÀ FIABBESCA DI MARE E DI MARMO” 28 Settembre 2019.
- 1st International Prize dedicated to the female universe ‘’DONNE D’AMORE‘’ V. BARRETT, poetry section ‘SUI GRADINI DI PIAZZA DI SPAGNA’,
- 1st Prize for the literature section – novel for the text ‘IL CORAGGIO È FEMMINA’, Rome 22 May 2023.
- AI TUOI PIEDI poetry prize city of Mercogliano (AV) for the poem ‘E là incontrai mia Madre’ 8 September 2024
