Antonio Rossi
FROM DIAPHONIES   FROM SEXTERN
Translations by Stephen Sartarelli and Thomas Epstein.   Translations by Howard Rodger MacLean in collaboration with the author.   Translations by Howard Rodger MacLean in collaboration with the author.  
A carpet collects
conjectures, denials, worries
recalled, it’s the final grasp before the dive
into the dark of space, the daylight
of the breathing hollow; and again just
soot and a vice
or something else that grips
armpits, throat
and cheeks no longer like
the color of minium.
  From what basement, case
or package spring or fall
clippings we notice
by number, uneven size
and easy mobility, or else
a lamination, a polished,
leafy surface, pointed
pupils, a separate
contour, a wrapping,
a nodular segment.
  If scratches and swelling
occur upon contact with points,
and vapors hurt wrists or carve
cruciform effigies of which shall be said
they shall be eclipsed, and twistings
reveal membranes marked by slight
protuberances, a sheet of brass
reflects in one side, impure
by folds and scribbles.
  A mouth utters
a name, repeats it, awaits
the next day the better
to modulate it, almost spells it out
by surprise from towers and basements,
articulates it with secret
inflection until outside
a day arrives that is
not really a voice but its surrogate
and astonishment, impulses, clothes
thrown away and much is imperceptible
and fades, falls silent.
  Independently we break free: in well-organized
compartments intensely or languidly
observed and
by a surmise that falls away
from frequent corners toward
the destructive whole
abandonment and the unbridled
dismay that one or two
hours later makes us
jump to entreat
suddenly quenching
and ready and creates
beliefs and suspicions that analysis
and reports may barely succeed
in putting to rout.
  If a cleptomaniac throws herself
from the rocks in her sleep she is stopped
by the industrial scraps and ropes below;
and animals and passersby are
overcome with wonder as
gestures float by one by one
between phony watchtowers. Likewise
if the other eye’s vision is already nul
if the other ear’s hearing is already nul
block-units or single
inferences and frenzies are
endlessly stirred up, broken down and strewn
over dirt piles purposely tampered with,
to which access is taken for granted. Intemperance
shall be the top priority.
  Although in a solid setting; an ersatz
dressing-room; among derelict
boxes destroyed
for this reason; desired
frequencies it seems to elude
or entangle; a smooth
enquiry only the second
time around; a delay; an additional
dose of unrest.
  Perhaps to broad fluctuations
of perimeters crowded by
a maned lynx, a multiple
instigating-appearing-excluding,
frolicking birds
of prey and
crossroads, supports and frail
adherences, or to perceptible
vaporizations might we
ascribe this persuasive
stubborn mess.
  Sprayed or polished metals
and abundant spatulas and
unadaptable wedges and emphatically
knotted cables or a set
of capsules, one emerald-
green, one turquoise, one scarlet
and a block of houses with no more cries
and a list with no more
names today may
mingle or take flight.
  Blind and voracious
the backdrop but opportune
an irruption even if
incautious for which it’s possible
to take fright, be
rigid, beware
of treacherous rains or other
intrigue, hesitate
or advance among warehouses
until a fearful imminent
nebulization.
  Usually or heatedly
a parameter or viscous
cabin includes
or removes reluctant
subjects and conceals
copious scratches and
additives and after
tractions or dangers
excludes in courses
dislocated and menaced
by particles.
  Only if the afternoon is slippery
can one again pass through the same
turnstiles and this time
note a balsa dragonfly,
rump cut
or loin on hooks or sense
perfumes not easily
decipherable or affirmations such as
I live time unlimited in a din of concrete mixers.
  In the same brambles
or guardians surprised
at rest a craving
induces courses
no less mad
and a bit of shadow is a hook
robust and ready
to press unrestrained
and every throat or exhibited
bruise is reversed
by tracks and chains
in the very convulsive
threat.
  The pink brings cloves
and gorges ready to
impede or overpower
before an obscure
need defers every
impetus given that now
cautious predators rage and in crooked
buildings a crash hides
torsions and anomalies
or with coaxing falls headlong
and hits retinae as if
distracted.
  Knots and nooses that always
fray after the dogged
use and mixtures as if
exploded don’t wander
in passages or wardrobe
until for hidden
reason let loose
they are on the insulation
a deranged complex surmountable
with shake between the bars
twined or opened wide.
  Emptied every habitation
of goods and characters and abolished
pilasters and renderings and deactivated
whatever connected incursion
what leaks out and holds
is not the sight of abnormal
lilies nor the ominous
hitting of an unwelcome
guest not the exclusive
permanent invitation.
  Some porphyry is a table
on which a charcoal
extracted from stable
hole leaves traces
of scorn: each one
disseminates little
palms in the shady
valley where a home
with evident surprise
is almost laid.
  Seventh natural
ligatures matter
less than obliged
steps towards
pages opened
with caution performed
abandoned in a circling
close to confusion
to the anxious drop
in pitch on register
accelerate give full
air wide open
deserving from this
clumsy decree.
  Gauges stares
licks swerves
distances yields
interposes sneaks
distorts avoids
omits misleads
hides purloins
refuses exclaims
dissipates encodes
figure unshapes.
  A mind to turn itself
where? Towards striae
secure shadows blocks
or down rebounding
from ferns on the discontinuous
periphery and nomadic
to greenhouses pavilions
fetid heaps from which
sparrow linnet magpie
draws happiness.
  No longer on the tower
does dust settle: a molest
sweeps away punishes
door-handles a crag that florid
appeared boats’ hulls harriers
in garrigue: perimeters
of intangible substance
are converted and if
unsteadiness is produced or kind
of intent for its
passage goes and dyke
is made hoax.
  Summit uprooted
gives weak dark fumes
unpleasant if gall cerris
sumac in cap
or diffuser slackens
swarms loses force
and take courses followed
by all eyes because
a form brings illusions
or dissuasions above all
if from the dew point
discompensating flies
over the air.
  A fruit from a plate
taken and in another
deposited so that a more avid
maw longer can relish
taste causes surprise
dissent protest when
not dejection and the black
traveller’s sack what doesn’t it house
in its trusted pouches.
  Blue thread clasps an ash
cord saves a beginner
piece of nylon bumping against
takes the form of a treble clef
and twisted implements lie
dormant stuck enmeshed
in painted grids
that slender mouth
ignores or tries out
and handle forceps leather piece
sodden burst out making
rapid blending.
 
HOME AUTHORS   PDF