An Italian friend reminded me recently about the resonance of Trilussa’s poem “The Numbers” in today’s world. Here is an English translation:
“I might count very little, that’s true/ One said to Zero/but what are you worth? /Nothing; just nothing /Both in action and in thought/you’re just an empty, inconclusive thing /Me, instead, if I stand first in line /in front of five zeros like you /you know what I become?/ A hundred thousands /It’s a matter of numbers/ It’s what happens to a dictator /who grows in power and merit/ the more zeros follow him”
Trilussa published The Numbers in 1944. Different times, different dictator …
Brigitte Holt
Florence