Michael Swan

Marco Polo

I was talking to Marco Polo.

He said
Yes, OK,
he went over the top a bit
in the book
to push up the sales.

But it was mostly true.

The years on the road.
Turkey, Armenia, Persia, Afghanistan, …

Disease,
and a year to recuperate
in Badakhshan.

Bandits,
sandstorms and spirit voices
in the Gobi.

The Pamirs were the worst
he said,
with the bloody horses dying
below the high passes
where your bones froze.

You know
I said
I was in China yesterday.
(True enough.
We hit Terminal 3
at 7.20 this morning.)

I had expected disbelief,
but he understood pretty well
what we can do.

I had not expected pity.

Dana Nicorici

Michael Swan

Marco Polo
 

Vorbeam cu Marco Polo.
A spus
Da, OK,
a exagerat putin
in carte,
ca sa creasca vanzarile.

Dar era adevarat in mare parte.

Anii petrecuti pe drum.
Turcia, Armenia, Persia, Afganistan…

Boala,
si anul de recuperare
in Badakhshan.

Banditii,
furtunile de nisip si vocile spiritelor
din desertul Gobi…

Muntii Pamir au fost cei mai rai,
a spus el,
acolo, caii insangerati mureau
sub trecatorile inalte
ce-ti faceau oasele sa-nghete.

Stii,
am spus eu,
Am fost in China ieri
(Aproape adevarat.
Am intrat in Terminalul 3
La 7.20, in dimineata aceasta.)

Ma asteptasem la neincredere,
dar el a inteles destul de bine
ceea ce putem face.

Nu ma asteptam la compatimire.