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.

Dana Nicorici

Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

Ti-am privit poza
de multe ori
în fata fantanii
invaluite de
firicelele de apa cazande
asemenea ferigilor.
Am incercat iara,
tu, langa port
si langa biserica Sf. Maria,
strajuita de trepte,
coloane,
apa,catapetesme
si barci
tremurande pe mare.
Tata a luat
o poza de-ale mele
in care erau infatisati
sclavii odinioara vanduti.
Amintirea a revenit
dar doar copacii
si licitatia
au ramas intacte.
Zburam asemenea pasarilor
din ram in ram,
Am incercat sa te prind
pentru a-mi deveni nemuritoare
asemenea apei,catapetesmelor,
insulelor, copacilor
si zalelor.