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.

Brandusa Raileanu

Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

Te-am fotografiat
de mai multe ori
stand in fata
fantanii invaluite
de firicelele picurande
ale apei,
asemenea ferigilor.
Am incercat din nou,
cu tine langa port
si langa biserica,
Sf. Maica a Patimilor,
strajuita de trepte,
coloane,
apa, ziduri
si barci
tremurande pe mare.
Tatal meu
m-a fotografiat
acolo unde odinioara
sclavii au fost vanduti.
Pelicula a revenit
dar numai copacii
si butucul licitatiilor
au ramas.
Zburam precum pasarile
dintr-un cadru intr-altul,
am incercat sa te fixez
pentru ca tu
sa ramai asemenea
apei, zidurilor,
insulelor, copacilor
si patimirilor.