To reach the famous scene the couple had passed
Through the whole city. They had walked around squares
Full of bold flags and harlequin acrobats; cast
Quick glances at the Syrian merchant’s wares
— Toledan steel, porphyry jugs and myrrh;
Had halted — just for a moment — deftly to frame
The old palace with the heraldic monuments that were
Odd, but apt; they’d crossed the bridge whose name
Means ‘Singular Innocence’, and arrived at the bank
Of the river. There they stood, in rapt fervour,
Pondering. “Look,” the man said, his gaze
Lowered, “le alghe.” With a smile, she saw the lank
Waving fronds. Opposite, the bald observer
Noted it all, then turned to the streets’ loved maze.
Through the whole city. They had walked around squares
Full of bold flags and harlequin acrobats; cast
Quick glances at the Syrian merchant’s wares
— Toledan steel, porphyry jugs and myrrh;
Had halted — just for a moment — deftly to frame
The old palace with the heraldic monuments that were
Odd, but apt; they’d crossed the bridge whose name
Means ‘Singular Innocence’, and arrived at the bank
Of the river. There they stood, in rapt fervour,
Pondering. “Look,” the man said, his gaze
Lowered, “le alghe.” With a smile, she saw the lank
Waving fronds. Opposite, the bald observer
Noted it all, then turned to the streets’ loved maze.
(1992)
