ANNE STEWART

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You learned to read, long before you were aware,
those signs that said you should shut down and listen –
only for a sigh, a tut; a warning to avoid the Sykesean glare
that held you guilty, traitorous and unforgiven.

She was deliberate, trying always to be fair,
judging your successes with a measure of suspicion;
good behaviour warranting good fortune being rare
with you so wilful – so arrogant and self-permitting.

You came to recognise the rustle of a collar under hair;
to know that pursed lips can have no thought of kissing.
How fear of losing tries to trip each step you dare
along the rope and timber bridge of what is missing.

Elena Raluca Nebunoiu

Anne Stewart
 

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Ai invatat sa descifrezi, cu mult inainte de a fi constient,
acele semne care indicau sa taci si sa cauti sa auzi—
doar un oftat, o exclamatie; un avertisment impotriva privirii aspre
care te considera vinovat, tradator si de neiertat.

Ea era precauta, incercand mereu sa fie corecta,
judecandu-ti succesele cu oarecare suspiciune;
fiind greu de imaginat ca buna purtare iti va garanta succesul
cand tu erai asa de voluntar—arogant si sigur de tine.

Ai inceput sa recunosti fosnetul parului pe un guler;
sa stii ca buzele stranse nu se gandesc sa te sarute.
Cat de mult incearca teama de pierdere sa iti impiedice orice pas
ce indraznesti sa-l faci pe podul fragil a ceea ce lipseste.