A terza rima review of a great translation of The Divine Comedy
Midway in life’s journey, my path unclear,
I got ’round to Dante in fine translation
by John Ciardi, translator senza peer.
Ciardi had a songsmith’s ear and keen appreciation
for the lilting Italian that served Alighieri
so well in narrating his trek of salvation —
a vernacular narration to more widely carry
Dante’s Trinitarian faith, plus his fey
socio-political commentary.
Many translations capture his content, and convey
his visionary Catholic genius, unfurled
so confidently; and some find the way
to paint the pictures that leave your toenails curled
in Hell, then Purgatorio and Paradi-
so, guided by Virgil through the otherworld.