Wednesday, July 1, 2020


Triticum - by Vinicio Salvatore Di Crescenzo

Poetry collection 

Review by Maria Teresa De Donato




A Romantic and at the same time decadent poet of the best sort is Vinicio Salvatore Di Crescenzo. Sometimes more crepuscular and sometimes more hermetic, with its Collection Triticum Di Crescenzo aligns with the best Leopardian tradition, but also and above all with that of other great poets of the 19th and 20th centuries Italian literature.

The Triticum, which indicates grain or wheat, and its respective sowing, harvesting and gleaning phases are an opportunity for this poet to retrace the natural flow of events in the fields, using them as symbolisms and metaphors for Life itself.

Sweet and melancholic rhythms bring us back to the 'feeling of time' and of 'pain' of Ungaretti’s poetry as well as to the analysis and acceptance of 'mother' Nature ready, whenever necessary, to turn herself into a 'stepmother' as in Leopardi’s poetry.

The subtitle Light counterpoints and shared harmonies between the ears of wheat and the daring passions clearly indicates that Nature and Love are considered the basis of human existence. Introspective analysis and awareness of one's being are always present in the verses of this poet who does not hesitate to open up to the world honestly and equally candidly:

"Tortuous is the path I have walked ..."

"... we move away in the hope of blinding evanescent illusions, shrewdly concealed within a deception that cannot lie" while

"Pine needles are torrents of words that find no breath..."

“I cry in front of the abyss
who has opposed all my ambitions
struck down by fatigue without desire and convinced insecurities
daughters of fear and uncertainty. "


Love and passion alternate in this collection highlighting this poet's definitely romantic nature:


"Your embrace penetrates my soul like a sword that pierces my last breath ..."


Life flows and, between illusions, hopes, loves, disillusions and loss of loved ones


"We get out of the dark and the noises ... to find ourselves in the streets ... that lead us into the belly of my ancient world ... towards a past that disappeared in a flash within the tormented labyrinth where time is lost."

The attachment to Nature, rendered through detailed descriptions of beautiful landscapes, both rural and marine, rich in symbols and metaphors that offer different interpretations, as well as the love for one's homeland are the starting and end points of this wonderful literary production.

The desire to explore new horizons often confronts the awareness of the sentimental value of the 'native wild village' and belonging to

"... my land that will never have the courage to let me go ..."


reminding us that


“In the silent wheat fields                                                                                                      
remote stories are embodied,
impressions of a fleeting reality
and new Seasons of an uncertain future."

Triticum is, in my opinion, a wonderful poetic production of an author gifted with a deep and rare sensitivity, which honors Vinicio Salvatore Di Crescenzo as an artist and even more so as a man. 

A reading that I highly recommend to readers of all ages.