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Primo Levi

Primo Levi was born July 31, 1919, into a small, Jewish community in Turin, Italy, to Cesare Levi and Ester Luzzati Levi. Both of Levi’s parents were avid readers. His mother was well-educated and had attended the

Unfinished Business

by Primo Levi (1919–87)

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2<author>
3  <person id="7010" sex="1" role="author">
4    <name>
5      <firstname>Primo</firstname>
6      <lastname>Levi</lastname>
7    </name>
8    <life-events>
9      <date ty="birth" circa="false" suffix="ad">1919</date>
10      <date ty="death" circa="false" suffix="ad">1987</date>
11      <text-value>(1919–87)</text-value>
12    </life-events>
13    <biography>y</biography>
14  </person>
15</author>
16

Sir, please accept my resignation
As of next month,
And, if it seems right, plan on replacing me.
I’m leaving much unfinished work,
Whether out of laziness or actual problems.
I was supposed to tell someone something,
But I no longer know what and to whom: I’ve forgotten.
I was also supposed to donate something — 
A wise word, a gift, a kiss;

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