The Corregio Soap-Maker

Poem about Leonarda Cianciulli, also known as the "Soap-Maker of Corregio." After a tragic life, she killed three women and turned them into soap and tea-cakes.

The filth you left me in,
you left me with

it's not visible to naked eyes anymore
but it's still there

I will wash my hands of you

I wash my hands with you

I'll cut you down

cut you up

and I will wash my hands

leaving nothing visible to naked eyes

 

Siete che retenete affirmati?

Ho fatto appena qualche bello tè-mi raggrumo.

L'oh, è una vecchia ricetta della famiglia ma è la mia prima volta che la fa.

Ha un sapore tutto il de destra? Buon, ero poco preoccupato che risulterebbero troppo croccante.

 

[Are you feeling hungry?

I've just made some lovely tea-cakes.

Oh, it's an old family recipe but it's my first time making it.

Does it taste all right? Good, I was a little worried that they'd turn out too crispy.]

 

I've learned now

silent aggression of my position

in the kitchen

where these crimes lay quiet

and my hands are clean
I rinsed them in front of Jewish crowds

and the blame is on them

Look what you've made me do

but I'm clean of you

I clean with you

 

Ho pensato appena che vi portassi un piccolo qualcosa.

Sì, lo ho fatto io stesso!

È così cremoso e fa i buoni, suds schiumosi.

Renderà le vostre mani realmente molli.

 

[I just thought I'd bring you a little something.

Yes, I made it myself!

It's so creamy and makes good, frothy suds.

It'll make your hands really soft.]

 

One copper ladle isn't enough to feed my babies

It's hard to make ends meet

I'll tell your fortune for some money and rubies
the cards confirm that you deserve it

10 pounds of caustic soda, alum and resin

you'll be everywhere in sight of naked eyes

a sip of wine tried and true

skim the fat for some candles, too

waste not, want not, wash my hands of you

I'll wash my hands with you

Author's Note

If my Italian's off, I apologize-I'm not fluent in Italian.