Piducchiusu, Piducchiusu
When someone insists on a detail
to the point of exasperating others
when someone won’t back down
even when at risk
it is said that person is piducchiusu, piducchiusu
Cousin Minnie Fareri once told me why:
A long time ago in Sicily
an old lady insulted a magistrate’s dignity
by telling him to his face that
he was lice-infested
piducchiusu, piducchiusu she said
The magistrate threatened her
she would not back down
insisting he was piducchiusu, piducchiusu
lice-infested, lice-infested
even when the magistrate ordered her
lowered into a well and
she could no longer see her torturers
she threw her arms above her head
making the sign for lice
thumb and pointer fingers touching and pulling away
We don’t know the old woman’s name
Was she foolish or brave? Or both?
The townspeople still keep her memory alive
with her last words
piducchiusu, piducchiusu.
Bio:
Maria Fama lives and works in Philadelphia. She is the author of four books of poetry. Her most recent book, Looking for Cover, was published by Bordighera Press.
OVUNQUE SIAMO 