When I first started teaching Italian, one of my favorite things to share with students was Italian poems. I know what you’re thinking—poetry can feel intimidating, especially in another language. But hear me out: Italian poems are actually a wonderful (and beautiful!) way to improve your language skills. Why? Because they’re short, emotional, and full of rhythm, repetition, and rich vocabulary. Plus, Italian is such a musical language that it naturally lends itself to poetry—whether you’re reading something romantic, nostalgic, or just plain fun.

In this blog post, I want to introduce you to ten carefully chosen Italian poems that are perfect for language learners. Whether you’re just starting out or already at an intermediate level, these poems will give you a deeper appreciation of the language—and hopefully, a bit of inspiration, too.

Italian Poems + Translation

1. “Non sono in queste rive” by Torquato Tasso

Torquato Tasso (1544–1595) was a major figure of the Italian Renaissance, best known for his epic Gerusalemme Liberata. This lesser-known lyrical poem expresses feelings of exile, loneliness, and spiritual yearning. Tasso struggled with mental health and imprisonment, and this poem reflects his inner turmoil and detachment from the world around him. A great piece for learners to explore emotional vocabulary and classical Italian structure.

Non sono in queste rive

fiori così vermigli

come le labbra de la donna mia,

né ’l suon de l’aure estive

tra fonti e rose e gigli

fa del suo canto più dolce armonia.

Canto che m’ardi e piaci,

t’interrompano solo i nostri baci.

English Translation:

Are not in these shores

crimson flowers

like the lips of my lady,

in the sound of the summer breeze

amidst fountains, and roses and lilies

does its song make the sweetest harmony.

Song that inflames, and pleases me,

may you be interrupted only by our kisses.

2. “L’infinito” by Giacomo Leopardi

One of Italy’s most beloved poems, L’infinito explores the vastness of nature and the inner world of thought. Leopardi (1798–1837) was a philosopher-poet known for his melancholic yet deeply reflective work. This poem was written when he was just 21! It’s a staple in Italian schools and a great intro to rich philosophical vocabulary.

Sempre caro mi fu quest’ermo colle,

E questa siepe, che da tanta parte

Dell’ultimo orizzonte il guardo esclude.

Ma sedendo e mirando, interminati

Spazi di là da quella, e sovrumani

Silenzi, e profondissima quiete

Io nel pensier mi fingo; ove per poco

Il cor non si spaura. E come il vento

Odo stormir tra queste piante, io quello

Infinito silenzio a questa voce

Vo comparando: e mi sovvien l’eterno,

E le morte stagioni, e la presente

E viva, e il suon di lei. Così tra questa

Immensità s’annega il pensier mio:

E il naufragar m’è dolce in questo mare.

English Translation:

Always dear to me was this still hill,

And this hedge, which in so many ways

Of the last horizon the look excludes.

But sitting and aiming, endless

Spaces beyond that, and superhuman

Silences, and deepest quiet

I pretend in thinking; where for a while

The heart is not afraid. And like the wind

I hear rustling among these plants, I that

Infinite silence to this voice

I am comparing: and the eternal comes to my mind,

And the dead seasons, and the present

And alive, and the sound of her. So between this

Immensity drowns my thought:

And shipwreck is sweet to me in this sea.

3. “Non so” by Antonia Pozzi

Written by the talented and tragic Antonia Pozzi (1912–1938), this short poem is a quiet meditation on the uncertainty of emotions. Pozzi’s work is intimate and beautifully understated, and her poetry was published only after her untimely death. A gentle piece to explore introspection and poetic simplicity in Italian.

Io penso che il tuo modo di sorridere
è più dolce del sole
su questo vaso di fiori
già un poco
appassiti —

penso che forse è buono
che cadano da me
tutti gli alberi —

ch’io sia un piazzale bianco deserto
alla tua voce — che forse
disegna i viali
per il nuovo
giardino. 

English Translation:

I think your way of smiling
is sweeter than the sun
on this vase of flowers
already a little
faded—

I think that maybe it’s good
that from me fall
all the trees—

That I be a white, deserted yard
to your voice—that maybe
draws the shady paths
for the new
garden.

4. “Rimani” by Gabriele D’Annunzio

D’Annunzio (1863–1938) was a flamboyant poet, soldier, and political figure of early 20th-century Italy. Rimani is an intimate, almost whispered plea for a lover to stay—a lush, sensual poem that captures his romantic and decadent style. Learners will enjoy the poetic imperatives and emotional intensity in his language.

Rimani! Riposati accanto a me.

Non te ne andare.

Io ti veglierò. Io ti proteggerò.

Ti pentirai di tutto fuorché d’essere venuta a me, liberamente, fieramente.

Ti amo. Non ho nessun pensiero che non sia tuo;

non ho nel sangue nessun desiderio che non sia per te.

Lo sai. Non vedo nella mia vita altra compagna, non vedo altra gioia.

Rimani.

Riposati. Non temere di nulla.

Dormi stanotte sul mio cuore…

English Translation:

Stay! Rest beside me.

Do not go.

I will watch you. I will protect you.

You’ll regret anything but coming to me, freely, proudly.

I love you. I do not have any thought that is not yours;

I have no desire in the blood that is not for you.

You know. I do not see in my life another companion, I see no other joy

Stay.

Rest. Do not be afraid of anything.

Sleep tonight on my heart…

5. “Ho bisogno di sentimenti” by Alda Merini

Alda Merini (1931–2009) is one of Italy’s most powerful modern voices. Known for her raw, emotional poetry—often reflecting on love, madness, and spirituality—this poem reads like a heartfelt manifesto. It’s perfect for learners wanting to connect emotionally with the language and explore expressive, personal vocabulary.

Io non ho bisogno di denaro.

Ho bisogno di sentimenti.

Di parole, di parole scelte sapientemente,

di fiori, detti pensieri,

di rose, dette presenze,

di sogni, che abitino gli alberi,

di canzoni che faccian danzar le statue,

di stelle che mormorino all’orecchio degli amanti…

Ho bisogno di poesia,

questa magia che brucia la pesantezza delle parole,

che risveglia le emozioni e dà colori nuovi…

English Translation:

I do not need money.

I need feelings,

words, words wisely chosen,

flowers called thoughts,

roses called presences,

dreams that inhabit the trees,

songs that make statues dance,

stars that murmur in lovers’ ears.

I need poetry,

this magic that burns away the heaviness of words.

6. “S’i’ fosse foco” by Cecco Angiolieri

This bold and irreverent sonnet by Cecco Angiolieri (c. 1260–c. 1312) is a wild medieval fantasy of chaos and revenge. Cecco was a contemporary of Dante, but with a much more playful, sarcastic tone. A fun piece for learners interested in archaic Italian and medieval humor—it reads almost like a rant!

S’i’ fosse foco, ardere’ il mondo;

s’i’ fosse vento, lo tempestarei;

s’i’ fosse acqua, i’ l’ annegherei;

s’i’ fosse Dio, mandereil’ en profondo;

s’i’ fosse papa, allor serei giocondo,

ché tutti cristïani embrigarei;

s’i’ fosse ’imperator, sa’ che farei?

a tutti taglierei lo capo a tondo.

S’i’ fosse morte, andarei da mio padre;

s’i’ fosse vita, fuggirei da lui;

similmente faría da mi’ madre.

S’ i’ fosse Cecco com’ i’ sono e fui,

torrei le donne giovani e leggiadre,

le vecchie e laide lasserei altrui.

English Translation:

If I were fire, I would set the world aflame;

If I were wind, I would storm it;

If I were water, I would drown it;

If I were God, I would send it to the abyss.

If I were Pope, then I would be happy,

For I would swindle all the Christians;

If I were Emperor, do you know what I would do?

I would chop off heads all around.

If I were death, I would go to my father;

If I were life, I would flee from him;

The same would I do with my mother.

If I were Cecco, as I am and I was,

I would take all the women who are young and lovely

And leave all the old and ugly for others.

7. “San Martino” by Giosuè Carducci

Carducci (1835–1907), Italy’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature, paints a vivid autumn landscape in San Martino. With its sensory imagery of vineyards, fog, and roasted chestnuts, this poem is a cozy celebration of rural life. It’s great for learning descriptive language and seasonal vocabulary.

La nebbia agli irti colli
piovigginando sale,
e sotto il maestrale
urla e biancheggia il mar;

ma per le vie del borgo
dal ribollir de’ tini
va l’aspro odor dei vini
l’anime a rallegrar.

Gira su’ ceppi accesi
lo spiedo scoppiettando:
sta il cacciator fischiando
su l’uscio a rimirar

tra le rossastre nubi
stormi d’uccelli neri,
com’esuli pensieri,
nel vespero migrar.

English Translation:

The fog to the bare hills
soars in the thin rain,
and below the wind
howls and churns the sea;

yet through the hamlet’s alleys
from the fermenting casks
goes the pungent scent of wines
to touch a soul with glee.

On the firewood, turns
the skewer crackling:
stands the hunter whistling,
on the threshold to see

in the reddening clouds
flocks of black birds,
like exiled thoughts
as in the dusk they flee.

8. “Parola” by Ribka Sibhatu

Eritrean-Italian poet Ribka Sibhatu writes about identity, language, and migration. Parola is a powerful reflection on the weight and meaning of words, rooted in both personal and cultural experience. It’s an excellent contemporary poem for learners interested in modern Italian, diversity, and social themes.

Sacra Parola,
misteriosa essenza,
terra della straniera
che girovaga!                                                            

Tocca la figlia che
cammina tra
luci e ombra,
coraggio e paura.                                                     

Suona melodie
che danno forma
al mondo
a cui appartiene.                                                    

Parla parole ce
emanano profumo
e portano l’animo
nel tempo e nello spazio.   

English Translation:

Holy word
inscrutable essence
land of the wandering
woman!

Touch the daughter
who walks between
shadow and light
courage and fear.

Play melodies
that give shape
to the world
where she belongs.

Speak words
that emit a fragrance
and carry the soul
through time and through space.

9. “Ho sceso dandoti il braccio” by Eugenio Montale

Montale (1896–1981), another Nobel Prize winner, wrote this moving poem after the death of his lifelong partner. With simple yet profound language, it captures memory, grief, and companionship. A beautiful and tender text for learners who want to explore emotional depth through everyday expressions.

Ho sceso, dandoti il braccio, almeno un milione di scale

e ora che non ci sei è il vuoto ad ogni gradino.

Anche così è stato breve il nostro lungo viaggio.

Il mio dura tuttora, né più mi occorrono

le coincidenze, le prenotazioni,

le trappole, gli scorni di chi crede

che la realtà sia quella che si vede.

Ho sceso milioni di scale dandoti il braccio

non già perché con quattr’occhi forse si vede di più.

Con te le ho scese perché sapevo che di noi due

le sole vere pupille, sebbene tanto offuscate,

erano le tue.

English Translation:

I went down a million stairs, at least, arm in arm with you.

And now that you are not here, I feel emptiness at each step.

Our long journey was brief, though.

Mine still lasts, but I don’t need

any more connections, reservations,

traps, humiliation of those who think reality

is what we are used to see.

I went down millions of stairs, at least, arm in arm with you,

and not because with four eyes we see better that with two.

With you I went downstairs because I knew, among the two of us,

the only real eyes, although very blurred,

belonged to you.

10. “Lavandare” by Giovanni Pascoli

Pascoli (1855–1912) is known for his gentle, rural poetry. Lavandare paints a melancholic picture of washerwomen in the countryside, blending nature, nostalgia, and silent suffering. It’s a quiet yet evocative piece, great for exploring rhythm, mood, and simple, lyrical language.

Nel campo mezzo grigio e mezzo nero

resta un aratro senza buoi che pare

dimenticato, tra il vapor leggero.

E cadenzato dalla gora viene

lo sciabordare delle lavandare

con tonfi spessi e lunghe cantilene:

Il vento soffia e nevica la frasca,

e tu non torni ancora al tuo paese!

quando partisti, come son rimasta!

come l’aratro in mezzo alla maggese.

English Translation:

In the field half gray and half black

A plow stays without oxes, that seems

Forgotten, in the light vapour.

And the rhythmic washing of the laudresses

Comes from the milcourse

With its thick splashes and long singsongs.

The wind blows and the frond snows under,

And you still don’t return to your town!

When you left, how I stayed!

As the plow, in the middle of the fallow.

Recite Italian Poems Today!

I hope you enjoyed exploring these Italian poems with me. Poetry has this magical way of capturing feelings and ideas that go beyond grammar rules and textbook conversations—and that’s why it’s such a powerful tool for language learning. When you slow down to read a poem, you get to savor the language, reflect on its rhythm and nuance, and see how Italian speakers express themselves at a deeper level.

If you found a favorite among the poems we looked at, I encourage you to go back and read it again tomorrow—or even try memorizing a few lines. It’s a great way to boost your vocabulary, pronunciation, and confidence.

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