"According to them, the poet is confined to the provinces with his mouth broken on his own syllabic trapeze"

This evocative quote by Salvatore Quasimodo, "According to them, the poet is confined to the provinces with his mouth broken on his own syllabic trapeze", provides a dense, metaphorical commentary on the poet's struggle and seclusion. Numerous layers can be unpacked to reveal its much deeper significance.

Firstly, the idea of the poet being "restricted to the provinces" suggests a sense of exile or marginalization. The provinces imply a remote or less significant area compared to cultural centers or cities where art and literature typically flourish. This images could represent how poets, in spite of their deep insights and creative contributions, often find themselves on the fringes of society, away from mainstream recommendation or appreciation.

The expression "with his mouth broken" paints a picture of impotence or disablement in expression. A poet's vital tool is language, and a 'broken mouth' metaphorically shows a disturbance in the poet's ability to interact. This might show the challenges and disappointments poets deal with when trying to convey complex feelings or ideas, especially in a society that may underestimate or misunderstand poetic expression.

The "syllabic trapeze" further deepens this metaphor. Trapeze artists perform with skill and precision, just like poets with their words. The concept of a "syllabic trapeze" conjures pictures of linguistic acrobatics-- the elaborate adjustment of syllables and sounds to attain poetic result. Nevertheless, if the poet's mouth is broken, then this becomes a precarious, even useless, performance, akin to a trapeze artist without safeguard. This imagery suggests that while the art of poetry is dynamic and complicated, it is likewise fraught with prospective failure and misunderstanding.

Quasimodo appears to review societal mindsets towards poets, who are restricted not simply geographically but likewise in regards to recognition and impact. The quote might show the tension between creative aspiration and the useful challenges of being understood and valued in a society that might not fully accept or understand the nuances of poetic expression.