The Rooted Oar

Giovanni Pascoli (1855–1912) was a founding figure in modern Italian poetry. His use of natural imagery and his incorporation of dialect into formal verse paved the way for twentieth- century poets. Primarily inspired by his devotion to family and his grief over the early deaths of his parents and siblings, Pascoli’s masterworks include Myricae and Canti di Castelvecchio. He was also a renowned professor of Italian literature at the University of Bologna.

The poems of Taije Silverman have appeared in Poetry, AGNI, Ploughshares, and elsewhere. She is the author of two books of poetry and a book of translations: Selected Poems of Giovanni Pascoli, translated from Italian. Honors include a Fulbright, inclusion in Best American Poetry and residencies from Yaddo and MacDowell. She teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. (updated 9/2025)

Marina Della Putta Johnston is assistant director of the Center for Italian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where her scholarly work focuses on Medieval and Renaissance texts. (updated 4/2016)