Nymphs, New York City, by Stefano Bortolussi

Echo, a Public Sculpture by Jaume Plensa, by Maria Carmen (USA). 2011. CC BY-SA 3.0.

Nymphs, New York City
​
The little human symphony of white red & freckles
alongside whom you sat — be it for guiltless exhaustion
or a passing ecstasy of senses — answers to some name
recognized by the occasional occupants
of the oval meadow facing the bench;
and while, on the green, three blonde girls scamper
like quail (from a distance they hardly look taller)
the nymph's face, white and elongated,
closes her eyes and dreams this one scene
among the many that she's supposed to look after,
and her presence is liquid in the shape
she seems to have found and taken up by chance
on a quiet Catalan morn, spied like this
by an indiscreet neighbor. In front of it
a young Oriental woman poses for a portrait,
digital reflection of a likeness
that she is not the only one to notice
— as if a sudden echo sounded
in a playful game of references.

Stefano Bortolussi

Stefano Bortolussi is a poet, novelist and literary translator. In his native Italy he has published three poetry collections (Ipotesi di caldo, 2001; Califia, 2014; I labili confini, 2016) and four novels (Fuor d'acqua, 2004; Fuoritempo, 2007; Verso dove si va per questa strada, 2013; Billy & Coyote, 2017). His poetry has been also published in magazines and webzines, both Italian and international, such as Interno Poesia, Atelier, and Ink, Sweat and Tears.