His second book Tybalt SalisOf Seventh St. Peter’shistoric janitor at Brotzu in Quartu, now retired, has it dedicated to Daniel, a son who is no longer with us and to whom Tybalt was and is particularly attached. They loved each other so much, they even played bowls together at a national level. Father and son. The father retired after years as a janitor, the son is no longer here. But for dad, it’s definitely there. The meetings in the cemetery at Settimo San Pietro, our thoughts always turned to him. More than before. So much so that he even dedicated a book to him.
Tebaldo Salis, 68 years old, a man of school, of culture, of sport (bowls and martial arts, also Daniel’s stuff), is currently busy with the improvising poet Paolo Zedda, in the presentation of his book “Il viandante”.
The first page portrays the former janitor, with a cane, backpack and a white crocheted tunic. So, with long hair that he hasn’t cut since his son died, he walks with his gaze looking into the distance. The preface is by Paolo Zedda. The other day he presented the book to Sinnai. Today May 16th it will do so at Settimo San Pietro, at 6pm.
After having written “Writing for one’s soul/autobiography of a janitor”, Salis in this second book collects eight short stories, some started many years ago, in his beloved scientific high school, the “Brotzu” of Quartu Sant’Elena. Others, she has written lately. The stories are interspersed with various poems, some by her sister, some by her son. The name of the book is taken from the story “The Wanderer”, a paradoxical, almost fairy-tale story. The hope is that the ending can actually happen.
«My son Daniel – says the former janitor – is no longer here. I remember him in everything I do. We were above all friends. I strongly wanted to dedicate “Il viandante”, my new book, to him, but also by writing the story “I tue passi”. In this book I have included short stories, some written over 15 years ago, when I was still the janitor of my beloved Brotzu scientific high school in Quartu. Some, however, are more recent. In the past I also participated in a national competition, without obtaining any merit. The important (very) thing for me was to have started.”
«Popular literature – writes Paolo Zedda in the preface – whether it is poetry or fiction, can be observed through two perspectives. The first sees the world, or at least the perception of it. The second shows the very soul of the writer. “Il Viandante”, the collection of texts by my friend Tebaldo, can be deciphered through these two interpretations. The form of stories embraces memories of real life. At moments, Tebaldo Salis turns to his beloved children, one of whom passed away prematurely, leaving a void that tries to fill the affection, emotion and intensity of those who are unable to accept the inevitability of fate.”
© All rights reserved
