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.

Roxana Mindrican

Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

Te-am fotografiat
de nenumarate ori
in fata fantanii
invaluita de suvoaie
ca niste ferigi.
Si iarasi
langa port
si langa biserica
St. Mary din Chain,
fragmentata de trepte
si coloane,
de apa, de ziduri
si barci
plutind pe mare.
Tata m-a fotografiat
in piata unde candva
se vindeau sclavi.
Filmul a iesit
dar au ramas
doar copaci
si casa de licitatie.
Zburam din rama-n rama
precum pasarile,
am incercat sa te-nramez
sa poti dainui
asemeni apelor, zidurilor
insulelor, pomilor
si lanturilor.