Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

I took your picture
several times
standing before
the fountain veiled
by fern-like
dropping threads
of water.
I tried again,
you by the harbour
and the church,
St Mary of the Chain,
framed by steps,
columns,
water, walls
and boats
shivering on the sea.
My father took
a picture of me
where slaves had once
been sold.
The film came back
but only trees
and the auction block
remained.
We fly like birds
from frame to frame,
I tried to catch you
so you would
abide like
water, walls
islands, trees
and chains.

Ileana Botescu-Sireteanu

Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

Te-am fotografiat
de cateva ori
stand in fata fantanii
invaluita de siroaie de apa
picurande, asemenea ferigilor.
Am incercat din nou,
cu tine langa port
si langa biserica,
Sf. Maria din Chain,
incadrata de trepte,
coloane,
apa, ziduri
si barci
tremurand pe mare.
Tatal meu mi-a facut
o fotografie
acolo unde odinioara
se vindeau sclavi.
Filmul a fost developat
dar au ramas doar copacii
si cladirea pentru licitatii.
Zburam precum pasarile,
dintr-o rama in alta
am incercat sa te prind
ca sa te fac sa zabovesti
ca apa, zidurile,
ostroavele, copacii si
lanturile.