from the Last Canto of Paradiso
BY DANTE ALIGHIERI
TRANSLATED BY ROBERT PINSKY
Read the translator’s notes
xxxiii, 46-48, 52-66
As I drew nearer to the end of all desire,
I brought my longing’s ardor to a final height,
Just as I ought. My vision, becoming pure,
Although I’m good at establishing deadlines and deliverables in my work, I tend to fall apart when it comes to personal goal setting. Perhaps, you are like this too. So—instead of bemoaning my failure as a human being, I decided to be bold and dynamic. I find short-term goals are more doable than long so here are this month’s goals:
1. Work up to running (jogging?) the 3 mile loop in my hood. I’m a walker not a runner so vamos a ver on this one.
2. Memorize a stanza from Paradiso each morning–in English and Italian. As Caroline Kennedy explains, “If we learn poems by heart, we will always have their wisdom to draw on, and we gain an understanding that no one can take away.”
I’ll be reading from the Paradiso each morning at 7 am at the Post before my walk/run. Come join me!
What are your goals this month? this summer?
Alice-Catherine 