Pools Conca Verde Srl, Italy, 1996*
Zia Silvana wears fairytale-apple red on
her lips a black bathing suit, her breasts
heave in the dazzling sun. The pool stretches
before me, an Italian dare. Hundreds of
people gather on a perfect summer afternoon
at the waterpark as my stomach storms
with anxiety. Barriers like bricks on chains
tied to my throat: can’t speak the language
can’t drive the cars, can’t afford the gelato.
vespa che sfreccia
lands on collarbone
bone garden
Italian translation: vespa che sfreccia – darting wasp
VANESSA SHIELDS 