Here we are alone before the nocturnal mystery. The moon May shine over mankind's sad loves, She's veiled with mist and tears like Venus rising From the sea on the first morning of the world The world still smoking in primal chaos as she laughs With so much tender sorrow Since then much time has flown, and still that sorrow Is weighing on the tender breast of Venus Yet it is infinitely sweet to feel the tiredness Of our hearts exhausted but still burning Through immemorial time Towards the soul of the world that none can slake.

This poem is from Dino Campana's (1885–1932) Selected Works, translated by Cristina Viti and published by Survivors' Poetry in 2006. Dino Campana was admitted to San Salvi, an asylum in Florence at the age of 32 years and transferred to Castel Pulci, a place designated for those regarded as incurable in April 1918 where he remained until his death. Another of his poems, Easy Listening, was published in the Journal in August 2012.

Chosen by Femi Oyebode.