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.

Valentina Tache

Anne Stewart
 

Mai mult decat atat

Ai invatat sa citesti, cu mult inainte de a pricepe
semnele care-ti spuneau ca trebuie sa taci si sa asculti -
pret de un oftat, pret de o exclamatie; un avertisment sa eviti privirea barbara
care te-a luat drept vinovat, perfid, de neiertat.

Era prudenta, corecta incerca mereu sa fie,
judecand izbanzile cu un graunte de suspiciune;
comportamentul bun rar garanteaza si o sansa buna
cand tu esti asa indaratnic - asa de arogant si libertin

Ai invatat sa recunosti fosnetul unui guler apasat sub parul ei;
sa stii ca buzele tuguiate nici nu gandesc sa te sarute;
Cum mai incearca teama de a pierde sa rastoarne fiecare pas
pe care indraznesti sa-l faci pe podul de lemn suspendat in franghii
ce reprezinta tot ce iti lipseste.