Anonymous Constellation

Poetry. Bilingual Edition. Translated from the Italian by Sonia Raiziss. "ANONYMOUS CONSTELLATION follows an evolutionary pattern: it starts with iconic reflections on primordial cosmic life, proceeds to meditations on human history and ends with statements about the poet himself. Evolution is thus both a theme and a structural element of the collection." But with characteristic originality, De Palchi defies the idea of evolutionary progress, asserting instead that "violence levels all creatures and brings them back to their primeval state." The cycle of poems thus presents a view of history turned upside down: history does not instruct, does not help, but only repeats the great struggle, pitting human beings against other human beings, human beings against animals, animals against other animals. These are poems that stun and compel reflection."—Alessandro Vettori, Professor of Italian and Comparative Literature Rutgers University