Almost Human
by Roberto Bartolini
I have always been attracted to mannequins. Since I was a child. They have always fascinated or worried me. A bit like humans. This is why I have always seen them as "Almost”
Ever since I was a child, I stopped in front of the shop windows where there were mannequins. They were less realistic than many models today but they still attracted me. I imagined them having their own stories, just like they were people.
Sometimes I imagined myself of a feminine beauty. What could she think about staying there, being stared at all day? Sometimes, those with slightly disturbing expressions were there as punishment. To pay for some kind of crime or sin. I wondered if they had parents, siblings or other relatives.
Once I grew up, I lost this imagination, but I have always continued to be attracted to them. I can't help but stop and look at them carefully. Almost always I don't even know what shop it is.
One day I listened to a song by Renato Zero, an Italian singer, it's called
“MANNEQUINES”
Who pulls your strings,
Is it God or Satan?!
Who pulls your strings, is it male or female?!
Who prays to you, who hates you, who will wait for you...
Someone, or something, will certainly move the strings!
Mannequins,
faceless, ageless...
Thin threads united by fate...
The same destiny, the same truth!
The mannequin has a soul, and perhaps, he doesn't know it!
It's too early to go...
Too early to understand...
Too early to die...
Why, soon, we don't know!
When the reason,
that your threads will move,
It's just, time...
And all too soon, it will come!
Who pulls your strings,
He's a drunken father, to be pitied!
There are few threads,
What moves your mother,
What too many children he has!
Progress plays,
Against your naivety!
But there is your conscience,
And sooner or later, he will win!
Mannequins,
Faceless, ageless! Mannequins,
In the hands of those who are dummy, already!
Mannequins,
In old faces!
Dummies, us!
Mannequins,
We will always be, as long as you want!
The mannequin lets go...
He abandons himself to your will...
The mannequin, always hopes,
That his fate will change...
He is a faithful friend,
Until he finds out,
Which can only go...
The first steps, he will move!
When to dummies,
A meaning, come on!
Among those mannequins,
You won't stay...
The mannequins, they grow,
But in them, it will remain...
The desire to try,
In the skin of a man...
How are you!!!
Let's give it two!
