Poetic Thresholds

My poetry focuses on the many ways contemplative attention to place, movement, and language can illuminate fundamental questions of being and belonging. I approach writing not only as a craft, but also as a practice of dwelling at thresholds between the familiar and the unfamiliar. A portion of my poetic writings traces movements between the Mediterranean world of my Italian origins and the desert landscapes of the American Southwest, exploring how geographical displacement creates a doubled self that experiences reality through simultaneous and interlaced lenses. I write at the edges of naming, seeking what lies beneath or beyond language: those fragments of infinity that appear in unexpected places, those moments when vastness opens even in the smallest detail.

Selected Writings

  • Southwest of Italy. Stanzas for a Travel Memoir. Forward by Reuben Ellis. World Book Series. Montreal: Guernica Editions, 2022.

  • I frutti del mio giardino. With critical commentary by Domenico Napoletani. Lecce: Manni Editori, 2022. *Finalist at Gradiva’s International Italian Poetry, 2022.

  • La paura dell’amore. Preface by Ernesto Livorni. Rimini: Raffaelli Editore, 2014.

  • “Nel reticolato di strade meravigliose,” in Gradiva. International Journal of Italian Literature 67 (2025): 93.

  • “‘In the Shadow of the Palm Trees,’ a selection of poems by Marino Magliani, translated by Federico Pacchioni.” Strade Dorate: Osservatorio Diaspora italiana e italofona (December 2024). Online.

  • Translations of “The First Spring Lost” by Giuseppe Conte and “Venice Has Disappeared” by Leo Merlini. MantissaLiterary Journal 6.1 (Spring 2021): 12-13.

  • “Dieci Poesie,” in Ossigeno Nascente: Atlante dei Poeti Italiani Contemporanei, Bologna: Università di Bologna, 2020. Online.

  • “I frutti del mio giardino” L'ANELLO che non tiene: Journal of Modern Italian Literature 27-28 (Spring-Fall 2015-2016): 71-74.

  • “L’ospite sconosciuto.” Gradiva. International Journal of Italian Literature 39-40 (2011): 187-189.

  • “Avventure in cucina.” Sinestesie - Rivista di studi sulle letterature e le arti europee April VIII (2009).

  • “Il castello.” Italian Poetry Review 3 (2008): 105-109.

  • “Truchas.” Gradiva. International Journal of Italian Literature 31-32 (2007): 147-148.

  • “Il mondo in ritardo.” 27-28 Gradiva. International Journal of Italian Literature (2005): 160-162.

  • “Traveling to Stay.” Creative Non-Fiction. Honorable Mention, Alligator Juniper, 2002.

  • “Poesie.” Graphie 1 (December 1998): 28.

  • “Humus.” Cafè Matisse (September 1998): 6.

  • “Isole.” Neoteroi 2 (September 1997).211-216. *Premio Neoteroi.

Selected Performances and Presentations

  • My collection “Paesi e Personaggi,” was performed and awarded a Semeria Award at the 11th International Literary Competition of the Casinò of San Remo (2024).

  • “Two Original Songs.” My poetry was adapted into art songs by Dr. Louise Thomas and performed by Chapman University alumni at the Musco Center for the Arts. Song and Culture: An Italian Perspective, April 6, 2024.

  • Coordinated “The Italian Art Song,” facilitating critical/creative collaborations between Chapman students and the Los Angeles Composers Collective, leading to a concert broadcast as part of the podcast “The Sounds, The Stories” by Brew Session Live and The 1888 Center. March 9, 2019.

  • “L’amor che muove il sole e l’altre stelle.” Recital of Dante’s poetry during the investiture ceremony of Chapman University’s 13th president. Musco Center for the Arts. Chapman University. September 30, 2016.

  • “A Celebration of Creativity in the Arts.” Designed and performed a recital of Leopardi’s poetry in collaboration with Alicia Guy. Musco Center for the Arts. Chapman University. September 29, 2016.

  • “Lettura a quattro voci. Poesie di Antonello Borra, Luigi Fontanella, Ernesto Livorni e Federico Pacchioni.” Poetry reading. Middlebury College, Vermont, July 25th, 2009.

  • “Mosaico: A Musical Presentation Featuring Original Songs in Italian.” Prescott College, Arizona. April 29th, 2004.