Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Roberto Amato

THE CITY IS DESIGNED VERY WELL

The city is designed very well. 
Moving about is easy even for someone like me who has no sense of direction.

We always end up at the same square: the same huge equestrian statue
the petite pigeons that scatter about like crumbs
the sun that reaches us from all sides.

You know . . .
I have never walked with a woman. 
I would gladly give you my hand but you say we can’t 
(and surely you are right).
But
where we are heading no-one knows.

If we go straight on the city will abandon us.
Then begin the clouds and the pain makes it pour.
Begins a thick grass that hides the lanes.
Believe me we will trip on a stone and fly who knows where.
Then again we have not a single plan to keep ourselves safe.
Admit it: we haven’t left ourselves the slightest possible
way out.

THE CITY IS DESIGNED VERY WELL

La città è disegnata molto bene.
Girarla è facilissimo anche per me che non ho il senso dell‘orientamento.
 
Si arriva sempre alla solita piazza: la stessa grande statua equestre
i piccoli piccioni che si spargono come briciole
il sole che ci raggiunge da ogni lato.
 
Sai . . .
non ho mai passeggiato con una donna.
Ti darei volentieri la mano ma tu dici che non si può
(e senz’altro hai ragione).
Però
dove dobbiamo andare non lo sa nessuno.
 
Se andiamo sempre a dritto la città ci abbandona.
Dopo cominciano le nuvole e il dolore fa piovere.
Comincia un’erba folta e scura che nasconde i viottoli.
Credimi inciamperemo in un sasso e voleremo chissà dove.
D’altra parte non abbiamo il minimo piano per salvarci.
Ammettilo: non ci siamo lasciati la più piccola
via di fuga.
Close

THE CITY IS DESIGNED VERY WELL

The city is designed very well. 
Moving about is easy even for someone like me who has no sense of direction.

We always end up at the same square: the same huge equestrian statue
the petite pigeons that scatter about like crumbs
the sun that reaches us from all sides.

You know . . .
I have never walked with a woman. 
I would gladly give you my hand but you say we can’t 
(and surely you are right).
But
where we are heading no-one knows.

If we go straight on the city will abandon us.
Then begin the clouds and the pain makes it pour.
Begins a thick grass that hides the lanes.
Believe me we will trip on a stone and fly who knows where.
Then again we have not a single plan to keep ourselves safe.
Admit it: we haven’t left ourselves the slightest possible
way out.

THE CITY IS DESIGNED VERY WELL

The city is designed very well. 
Moving about is easy even for someone like me who has no sense of direction.

We always end up at the same square: the same huge equestrian statue
the petite pigeons that scatter about like crumbs
the sun that reaches us from all sides.

You know . . .
I have never walked with a woman. 
I would gladly give you my hand but you say we can’t 
(and surely you are right).
But
where we are heading no-one knows.

If we go straight on the city will abandon us.
Then begin the clouds and the pain makes it pour.
Begins a thick grass that hides the lanes.
Believe me we will trip on a stone and fly who knows where.
Then again we have not a single plan to keep ourselves safe.
Admit it: we haven’t left ourselves the slightest possible
way out.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère