flora mariani's house on the water

Oh my God, I’m shaking all over, I thought I’d lost everything
Hearing, sense, smell and the soft touch of linen
Even the slightest noise makes me
At night, in the dark, I sing and try to chase
The ghosts from my mind. I kick stones, I make more noise
So as not to be surprised by the wind
But her eyes are glued to me
I turn around and she’s there, I turn back and she smiles at me
I turn my back and find her in front of me as if she were real
The same smile as always, her hand almost touching
My cheek, I can almost feel it, but then
It’s just a cold wind. A breath, a whisper, and she disappears.
Until it comes back to haunt me.
It gives me no peace. I have no peace
God, God, if only I could close my eyes and erase
Everything. Everything. Past, present, future.
In an instant, they disappear and make way
For a new story.
A story in which I am also there. Me.
Two letters, one sound, me. How I wish I could open the door and let
Fresh air in. To be able to start again
Start again… Start again God.

Excerpt from ‘La Casa sull’Acqua di Flora Mariani’ (Flora Mariani’s House on the Water) by firenza guidi.
Presented for the first time in Fucecchio (Fi)
Poggio Salamartano
Saturday, 29 September 2007