A L E S S A N D R O N I E R O
______________________________TWO POEMS
Translated by Eric Sweet
Watertime
The river undermines the bridgework
teaching us about motion.
There is no levity, just
the grave obstinacy of the brown
rippling rain-swell like files
upon ruins, both present and future.
The roaring water swallows the phosphorous
from the floodlights. At a turn of the neck
(violating that image of time
in which we become our own solvent)
the river widens unnaturally
as our vision gives way.
[ page 1 of 2 ]