Luciano Erba
The Mirage
It looked like a well
that circle of white stones
underneath the waves.
My brother left the oars
I too looked over the sculler.
At one time
before the sea rose
they drew from this well.
But had the sea risen?
Perhaps there was a beach game
or a ring of rocks
on the sandy bottom. Or else
a tidy wreck of stones
antique sailors’ ballast.
Untold currents moved us.
On the bottom now
a slow dance of algae
confused me. We were searching
if there were only greenish tufts
transpiring on the bottom.
From the oar cold drops of water
fell to give me shivers.
Cold wind told us of the evening.
that circle of white stones
underneath the waves.
My brother left the oars
I too looked over the sculler.
At one time
before the sea rose
they drew from this well.
But had the sea risen?
Perhaps there was a beach game
or a ring of rocks
on the sandy bottom. Or else
a tidy wreck of stones
antique sailors’ ballast.
Untold currents moved us.
On the bottom now
a slow dance of algae
confused me. We were searching
if there were only greenish tufts
transpiring on the bottom.
From the oar cold drops of water
fell to give me shivers.
Cold wind told us of the evening.
Translated by Peter Robinson
Page(s) 63-64
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