Marseille

the grand palace on the hill says,
I am a palace.

the ripples on the harbour’s surface say,
we are ripples.

the fish who have yet to be caught
by the two local fishermen say,
we are fish.

the fortifications that once spanned a bridge
until 1945 when at 7:55 in the morning
it was destroyed say,
we are fortifications.

the statue that overlooks the sea
and reminds this drowsy traveller of the ways
of ancient voyages says,
I am a statue.

the hills in the distance,
who from this view across the city
seem to lack trees
but possess a thin layer
of shrubbery and grass say,
we are hills.

la ville de Marseille dit,
vous êtes en Marseille.