The Poetry and wrtitings of

Francesco Affinito

I was born in Cervinara where my mother give birth. She stayed a few days and left for Paolisi with my grandma and a piglet.

We lived four years in Paolisi and then my mother and father left for outside Naples. It was wild. I used to get the milk for Luigi and was terrified of the dog. Then the milkmaid came to milk the cow.

I used to go to school along a ‘cupa’ but didn’t remember much. After four years, I was given a ‘passamontagna’, ‘carbone’ and a scarf. I thought the ‘carbone’ was really ‘coke’. Then I tasted it.
I liked it.

Then my father emigrated to Great Paxton. I looked after my siblings and enjoyed school. The teachers wanted me to stay in Paolisi but my mother wanted me to go to England. I couldn’t speak any English. After a year at the Church of England (and not having done any levels) I worked at English and became the top boy.

The school I went to became comprehensive and I did 11 Oxford/Cambs ‘O’ levels. I did French, Italian and English. Luckily I got through.

Oxford was a strange place. I already had a girlfriend but it was strange. I left for Normandy (I wanted to go to Provence…) and when I got back, most of my friends had left.

I went to Bath to do translation and interpreting and luckily, I got through. I did the ‘concours’ two years later and got through. I worked four years for Natali and then started to work for Development.

It wasn’t easy. But I got through. And I started writing poetry..