place a poem by Alda Merini, devoted to Lampedusa. Beautiful
Once I dreamed of being a giant turtle skeleton
with ivory
dragging children and adults, and algae and waste
and flowers and all clung to me,
on my hard rind. I was a turtle
staggering under the weight of love
very slow to understand and quick to bless.
So, my children,
once you have thrown in the water
and you're clinging to my shell
and I have rescued sea turtle
because this is the land
that saves you from death
water.
