Ada Rizzo

Pure Gold

(Ode to Imperfect Women)

 

In the hearts of imperfect women

beats a universe of scars and moons,

woven from shattered dreams

that gather themselves again in silence,

like fallen stars rediscovered.

They love their bodies

keepers of secrets,

of cycles and storms,

of soft petals and thorns.

They are vessels of primal resilience,

growing strength from pain,

rooted deep like ancient trees.

Their hands stitch the sky,

a fabric of mistakes and rebirths

that wraps itself around the world.

Their lips whisper Respect and Justice

between the folds of a silence that screams.

Their eyes cradle seeds of hope

and the fire of those who refuse to yield.

They stand firm in Mother Earth,

feet carrying the weight of ancestral stories,

while they dance in the firelight of foremothers.

Their voices rise for sisters and daughters

who break the chains of injustice.

Imperfect women yet dazzling

celebrating life, their passion,

the right to own themselves,

their embrace defying the world’s deafening silence.

Imperfect women,

they are fire and water,

earth and a sky of stars

giving birth to light and life.

They shine like twenty-four carat gold,

souls of women who calm every storm

and turn it into a rainbow.

September 2, 2025, Jesolo

 

In the Womb of Thunder 

 

In the womb of thunder

lies a little girl,

with eyes full of shattered sky

and hands clutching

a faceless doll.

She walks among walls that no longer speak,

where silence has learned to scream

and dust knows the names of dreams.

Each step is a question

without an answer.

Each breath,

a sigh lost in the wind.

She’s learned to count

not the stars,

but the cannon shots that fall like verdicts.

She’s learned to sleep

with her heart on alert,

like a bird dreaming of flight

but with bandaged wings.

And yet, in her gaze,

there’s still a spark that defies the abyss,

a caress, a poem that refuses to surrender,

unafraid to be born among the ruins.

 

by Ada Rizzo, October 8, 2025 – Jesolo

 

Author Profile 

Ada Rizzo was born in Sicily (Italy) in 1960. She is writer, poet, translator, counselor, amateur journalist, volunteer in Kenya.

In 2021, she published her first novel with a strong autobiographical tone titled “Volevo il tacco dodici?”, which received an honorary mention at the intercontinental literary award “Le Nove Muse”. 

In 2022, she published her second novel “Iris Ali di Vetro,” which addresses the delicate topic of eating disorders (ED). Awarded to “Premio Internazionale di Poesia e Narrativa Alda Merini 2024-2025”. 

In 2023, she published her third novel “Novanta battiti al minuto”, a true story that tackles the sensitive issue of heart transplantation, for which she received the Jury Prize at the International Literary Art Award Cygnus Aureus 2024. 

In 2024, she published "Ventiquattro Carati," which addresses the issue of gender violence; a work that was awarded the International Literary Art Prize La Via dei Libri, the International Lord Byron Prize 2024, the International Literary Art Prize - to say no to violence against women - Il Canto di Dafne 2024, and the National Argentario Prize 2024 & Caravaggio.

Other Awards: “International Award for Peace and Human Rights Defense Italy 2023” , the “Civic Merit Award for Solidarity and Inclusion of People with Disabilities 2023”, "Solidarity Award for Art and Civic Engagement 2024", “Reconocimiento Internacional Mujer Destacada 2024” for her dedication to art, culture, peace, and social justice in the world. -“Certificate of International Recognition LETTER OF PEACE” award given to her for literary contribution to the International promotion of Culture, human rights and Peace. - "International Literature Language Journal", "Art and Literature Certificate 2024", awards granted in America for her cultural contribution to Art and Literature on an international level.

- Award “Best Influential Personality of 2024"

- “Humanist Certificate”

- “International Forum for Creativity“.

 

-The Raft of Dreams Literary Magazine

- Diploma of Honor from the International Forum for Creativity and Humanity  

- International Award "Culture Without Borders 2025"  

She is Peace Ambassador :  

IFCH Morocco, Indonesia, India, GPLT Uk

 

- Doctor Honoris Causa in Literature 

- Doctor Honoris Causa appointed by Ciesart 

 

In 2024 she participated to the anthology “Art without Borders”. Her piece "Nel silenzio del mondo" is part of this anthology.

Her poems on gender-based violence and the others on Peace and human rights have been translated into several languages and included in various literary journals and international poetry anthologies both print and digital.

 

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