Thursday, June 01, 2006

Romano Lucacchini

I lost a good friend this week, Romano was the quintessential Florentine gentleman. He was a hard working and very talented sculptor as well as a gifted and inspiring professor. He worked even on the day he died. My wife saw him that afternoon with a student and they talked enthusiastically about the upcoming summer's activities. The world will be a little darker with the passing of "questo uomo molto simpatico." I will miss his smile.



Nostro amico
(a Romano Lucacchini)


Un soffio bianco di capelli
Leggero e soffice come la neve alpina


Mani che hanno lavorato roccia
Forti e lunghe come gli Appennini


Nel profundo degli occhi scuri si vedono

Notturne strade e piazza di Firenze


Un sorriso sincero che invita a sederti

E parla un momento in frasi italiano


Ancora è il cuore gigantesco di un uomo,
La chiave a un mondo antico meraviglioso.



(in english)

Nostro Amico
(to Romano Lucacchini)

A whisp of white hair,
Fresh as the snow on the Alps.


Hands that have worked stone,
Strong like the long Appenines.


Beneath those dark eyes are the

Night streets and piazzas of Firenze.


A broad smile invites you to sit

And talk a while in phrases Italian.

Yet it is the gigantic heart of a man,
The key to an ancient wonderful world.

William Padgett, Giugno 2005


Romano
Lucacchini

2 comments:

  1. Grazie a Lei, che ha pubblicato le parole bellissime sul mio professore che mi ha insegnato a lavorare il marmo e mi ha dato la spinta di credere in me stessa e nell'arte, gli sarò per sempre grata, me lo porterò nel cuore come un ricordo di Firenze che non c'è più-

    Un Saluto

    Milena T.T.

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  2. I was a student of Romano's when I studied in Italy 1985-86.
    A gentle soul indeed. I have such lovely memories of him, and his teaching...I have no idea why his name popped into my head tonight, causing me to search his name....
    I kept in touch with him a bit after that year, but we eventually lost touch.
    Thank you for the memory.
    Gretchen

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