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.

Cristina Nistor

Chris Hardy

Piazza Marina

Te-am pozat
de citeva ori
stind in fata
fintinii, voalata
de feriga
formata de firicelele cazinde
de apa.
Am incercat din nou,
cu tine in port
si la biserica
Sf Maria a Lantului,
incadrata de trepte,
coloane,
ziduri, apa
si corabii
tremurind pe mare.
Tata mi-a facut
o poza
in locul unde
se vindeau cindva
sclavi.
Filmul a venit de la developat
insa numai copacii
si locul unde se tinea licitatia
mai ramasesera.
Zburam ca pasarile
din cadru in cadru,
am incercat sa te prind
ca sa durezi
ca apa, zidurile,
insulele, copacii
si lanturile.