by William Marr
In the 1990s, the Italian authorities had to close the bell tower to the public and launched a competition for ideas to reinforce its structure and prevent it from collapsing, as the situation was critical. The first intervention, which consisted of adding lead counterweights to the structure, did not solve the problem, so it was finally decided to excavate the earth to reduce the slope of the tower and ensure its preservation. "The rescue of the bell tower allows us to celebrate the 850th anniversary and to appreciate the efforts of our ancestors in the arrangement of the monuments in the Duomo square," the president of the Opera Primaziale, the monument's managing body, Andrea Maestrelli, told the local press. —Euronews, August 8, 2023
descending from the tour bus
we knew right away
that the earth was gaining
in its wrestling match
with the sky
to help maintain the balance
we all raised our hands
in front of the lenses
strenuously trying to prop up
the tower
but the local guide shouted at us
our exertion threatened his Money Tree—
it must neither be allowed to fall
nor be straightened up
William Marr, a Chinese American poet, has published over 30 collections of poetry and several translations. His recent bilingual (Chinese/English) books of poetry, A Dreamless Night and Every Day a Blue Sky, are available on Amazon.