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.

Simona Elisabeta Catana

Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

Ti-am facut poze
de cateva ori
atunci cand stateai in fata
fantanii arteziene invaluita
intr-un sirag de fire
de apa
asemanator unei ferigi.
Am mai incercat o data,
tu fiind in apropierea portului
si a bisericii
Sfanta Maria,
incadrata de trepte
coloane
apa, ziduri
si barci
unduindu-se pe mare.
Tata mi-a facut
o poza
in locul unde odinioara sclavii
erau vanduti.
Mi-am reamintit filmul,
dar numai pomii
si casa de licitatie
au mai ramas.
Zburam precum pasarile
dintr-un cadru in altul,
am incercat sa te prind in poza
ca tu sa continui
sa existi precum
apa, zidurile,
insulele, pomii
si lanturile.