Regina della Città: Queen of the City

Regina della Città

Queen of the City English version with explanatory notes

Every single poem, just like every work of art for an artist, is not different from the others. They are all equal, because each one represents an intimate part of the artist: an inner aspect expressed through the chosen form. It could be a painting, a sculpture, a short story, a novel, a poem… or whatever form of art best suits you.

Usually, one doesn’t play favorites—just like parents with their children. But the poem I am about to present—among the 2,284 “official” pieces I have catalogued so far—is more equal than the others.

It is written for the City of Siena and for the Palio, whose carriere (this is how the horse race is called) take place on July 2 and August 16, barring unforeseen events.

I am presenting it today in its international versions, precisely on the day of the Palio of the Assumption.

Some terms are nearly untranslatable: this is out of respect for Siena and the Senese people, a city and a community devoted to the Virgin.

Queen of the City

A thousand golden flames shine in the sky,
each glowing like a little sun,
each burning bright with light.

Note: This stanza evokes the visual and spiritual light of the Palio. The “golden flames” refer not only to candles, torches, or decorative lights, but also to the symbolic energy of the celebration. The comparison with “little suns” suggests divine or sacred brilliance.

They march to the beat of the Diana through the streets,
enter the Piazza to proclaim aloud
that the Carriera will soon begin—
and we are already prepared to suffer with pride.

Note:

• Diana: traditional military drumroll that announces solemn events in Siena.
• Piazza: always refers to Piazza del Campo.
• Carriera: the local and historical term for the Palio race itself.
• “To suffer” here refers to emotional tension and devotion, not physical pain.

All the colors of every banner
wave and dance to celebrate
our Lady of Provenzano,
or the Assumption’s Queen who soon will arrive.

Note:

• Lady of Provenzano: venerated on July 2 (Palio di Provenzano).
• Assumption’s Queen: the Virgin Mary, honored on August 16 (Palio dell’Assunta).
• “Who soon will arrive” refers to the chronological order: Provenzano first, Assunta second.

Shining in the sky
the black and white Balzana of Siena
glows and shall shine again.

Note:

• Balzana: Siena’s black-and-white civic coat of arms.
• The image evokes the timeless brilliance of Siena’s identity.

The mortaretto explodes to announce
that from the Entrone they begin to emerge—
the horses come forth through the great gate
and head toward the Mossa, to the canapi.

Note:

• Mortaretto: small ceremonial cannon blast signaling the horses’ exit.
• Entrone: large arched gateway of the Palazzo Comunale.
• Mossa: the starting line of the race.
• Canapi: the two ropes used to hold the horses in place before the start.

with the chiarine sounding bright,
like the singing of the Angels’ light,
with the chiarine sounding bright,
like the singing of the Angels’ light!

Note:

• Chiarine: long ceremonial trumpets with a bright, sacred tone.
• The stanza repeats for emphasis, imitating the echoing sound in the Piazza and the celestial imagery.

Flames of burning hearts
shine in the sky for the Queen
of the City.

Note:

• These flames are symbolic of the Senese people’s devotion.
• Queen of the City clearly refers to the Virgin Mary, who spiritually reigns over Siena.

Florence, August 27, 2021 – 10:51 a.m.
Revised on September 1, 2021

Image: Maurizio De Cicco, 2016
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