Saving Fall
You’ll carry on with the conversation – you who so often
stopped at the meaning of pause or pauses carrying on
the old dilapidated pushcart (with the dignity of a responsible
day laborer of course)
the furniture of the poor student (who honored you with his
choice)
from one basement to the other or the loft on Periandros Street
being careful as you carried down the narrow rotten stairs
the two unmatched chairs so that they wouldn’t scratch the wall
because the stony merciless landlady stood at the top
behind the railing with crossed arms observing you
when you tumbled down the stairs and landing on the ground you
simply sat on one chair having the other chair on your head
upside down like a strange impenetrable helmet
with four antennae or four legs raised in the sun
Manolis Aligizakis 