Who’s that boy?
By Mary Rizzo • Aug 12th, 2009 at 21:22 • Category: Arabian Coffee House, Biography, Music, Poetry, Events
Salvatore had black hair until it turned white
Always had masses of it, until the medicine took it all
He had eyes as clear as a lightning bolt in a darkening sky
And always a curious gaze upon the world that he loved
He truly loved the world and the simple gifts it gave
It gave him music and his family
More than enough
Never a moment without music, not if he could help it
Often wondered what a thought in his head sounded like
It’s been six years since his music left us
Stopped so abruptly
The sound of the interruption still burns in my ears
Mary Rizzo is an art restorer, translator and writer living in Italy. Editor and co-founder of Palestine Think Tank, co-founder of Tlaxcala translations collective. Her personal blog is Peacepalestine.
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I do not mean to sound rude, but your description of this boy is beautiful. But who is he? Why does he merit a write up? Some of us need a little more information Mary. Could you supply it? All I have are questions, questions, and more questions. Thank you … I am a westerner and there is much I do not know of modern middle eastern stories.
Not rude at all Barbara (thanks for your really nice words!)… I know it looks mysterious, and it actually is a bit of an imposition on the Coffee House! I just didn't know where else to put a little tribute to my father whose death anniversary is today. He was Mediterranean, but not middle eastern, although I think he would have felt at home in any middle eastern place where there was music. I think he thought in musical notes.
Hey,
That is a very nice tribute to your father Mary, my condolences. Even though a short write up but it captures his essence as you know him. These days we hear what a person achieved when remembering them though a focus on who they are as people is very important.
Thanks so much RB! It's funny how of course the memories are all unique to everyone, but when discussing with my siblings, we all have "similar" images that come to mind, amazing head of hair, gigantic hands, eyes that almost seemed electric in contrast with his dark skin, his constant sense of curiosity about everything and his almost constant good-humour in spite of some very hard conditions and always… his lifelong dedication to his family and his music. He couldn't live a day without either of them and on his deathbed was even composing something. Even though we have individual experiences, a person's basic character is always going to come out!
(btw… very off topic…. I have a load of gigantic zucchinis, too big to cook, unless I have giants as lunch guests!… I used to have a recipe for a zucchini chocolate cake, would you happen to have one? I'll have to check your sites soon, but thought I'd take advantage right now!)
Indeed the character always comes out, that is why every individual is unique.
(We don't use zucchinis around here but I did a quick search and found the following sites and that some good recipes you can look through:
http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2004/04/chocolate_zucchini_cake.php
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Zucchini-Chocolate-Cake-3
http://www.recipezaar.com/Zucchini-Chocolate-Cake-18693
http://elise.com/recipes/archives/000621chocolate_zucchini_cake.php
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Zucchini-Cake-III/Detail.aspx
http://www.ifood.tv/network/zucchini_chocolate_cake/recipes )
Hmmm I think my comment was sent to spam for the links it has. I'll send you the links by email.
Hi Mary
Seems you're not the only one with surplus zucchini – heres some recipes from today's Observer:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/16/nigel-slater-courgette
Thanks Ftp! I know… it's astounding how quickly they grow, how big and how impossible it is to eat them twice a day but what a waste to throw them out. We already gave many away, but people seem to refuse the big ones (here people want them small and tender, but that would mean attending the garden every day, and we live 40 km away and only go on weekends!) It's weird how these cake recipes call for apple in it! (apple is not in season here – or anywhere maybe.) Generally a that has a fruit or vegetable as the "star" will not mix the seasons together.
I'll let you know how the cake turns out… will make it tomorrow!