Review – Ripenso il tuo sorriso, Eugenio Montale
Across Montale’s verse it is easy to depict a man talking to himself and
to an absent other – his friend Boris Kniaseff. The memory of a friend
becomes a way to overcome moments of dejection and Ripenso al tuo
sorriso is the manifesto of this state of mind. Here, as framed by
Montale the images are sensuously lucid, but they often point back to
some ‘occasion’ which it is impossible to reconstruct for the reader.
In the opening verses of the poem, Montale reminisces about the smile
of his friend Boris, a smile that acts as a gateway to nostalgic
tranquillity. This recollects a sense of solace/relief which fills the heart
with a glimmer of hope. However, as the poem unfolds, Montale
counterpose(?) this cherished memory with the stark reality of his
current hardships, painting(?) a contrasting landscape of desolation
and struggle.
About halfway through the poem, Montale seems confused while
questioning the reliability of his own memory. He streggles to discern
whether the image of his friend evokes the joy of this past experiences
or if it also carries the same sense of unease that Montale himself feels.
In Ripenso al tuo sorriso pain transforms into a protective talisman
guarding against further suffering(s).
At the end of the poem, Eugenio Montale pays tribute to his friend,
highlighting how the memory of their bond preserves only the most
cherished aspects. These memories serve as a source of strengths for
Montale and despite the flow of time, the image of his friend grows
stronger within the writer’s mind.
“Ma questo posso dirti, che la tua pensata effigie
sommerge i crucci estrosi in un’ondata di calma,
e che il tuo aspetto s’insinua nella mia memoria grigia
schietto come la cima d’una giovinetta palma.”
Distance, absence, memories are essential in Montale’s poetry - as they
were for Dante and Petrarch. Throughout the poem I felt a bit
melancholic but I’m still fortunate enough for having everlasting
memories with my dearest friend and being able to recollect them as
time passes. I could summarise it by saying that I felt a sense of
nostalgia intertwined with a hint of sadness.
