Written for Wea’ve Written Weekly.
Our PoW, Dennis, invites us to write
a poem about something intangible
and abstract, especially if it is
drawn from our own culture.
Nancy’s Notes: Omertà (Italian pronunciation omer’tà) is one of those Italian words that doesn’t have a true English equivalent; somehow, ‘silence’ doesn’t quite cut it. It is a Southern Italian-Sicilian code of silence and honor and conduct that places great importance on maintaining silence in the face of questioning by authorities (police, government) or outsiders, especially during criminal investigations; think of The Godfather or The Sopranos. My parents were born in Sicily and I am most proud of my ancestry; however, omertà and the dark side of being Sicilian does not apply to our family way of life.
Beneath the olive branches, a hush like stone,
where what a mother witnessed is never said;
the blood on village cobblestones goes unknown,
and neighbors pass the bakery with bowed head.
The boy is taught that silence is his to own,
more binding than the scripture the priest has read,
for those who dare to break it are left as bone,
and the deepest silence is kept by the dead.
NAR©2026
#W3
More Nancy’s Notes: Strambotto is a single stanza Italian poem consisting of eight lines with 11 syllables in each line. The rhyme sequence is a/b/a/b/a/b/a/b.
This is “Omertà”, deep melodic house music feat. mandolin, violin and accordion.
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, except where otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
