The Delta - Reality And Symbol
I've only been to the Danube Delta a couple of times in my relatively long existence: the first time was at the end of the 50's, when I dwelt in the Sfantu Gheorghe (Saint George) area, at an observation resort belonging to the Romanian Academy, a resort that was
The Swamps Of The Danube Delta
excerpt After I have outlined the measures taken in order to improve the biological conditions and to capitalize on the potential the Razim lake has in respect to fish production in both salted and fresh water, I find myself obliged to describe briefly the measures taken
The Paradise Of Perpetual Quiet
Are there places in the universe where the endurance of legends can overcome an often hostile reality? This issue was inspired by Romania's good luck in owning the Danube Delta, combined with its fear that this territory may not be protected to the extent required
The Rattlebike
When I go rattleriding my rattlebike up street,You're toppling in my wake on every sideAnd goggle at my progress from the sleetBefore you stand up rattlestupefied. The rattleengine of my rattlebikeRaprattles and backfires in frightful fits. Girls call me names –
All Those Images
Early Sunday afternoon, lying in bed with a large illustrated book of Ion Creangă stories, Memories of Childhood Days: the time stood still, waiting for me to turn over the pages, and I had all the time in the world. My father was sitting next to me reading too, but I was
Pioneers Forever
Pioneer's honor if I lie to you! I don't know why, but I skipped school the day I was supposed to become an Oktombrel (a sort of junior pioneer), when I was in the first grade. You can imagine my suffering for not having participated in the ritual which made you
The Red Scarf
excerpt Is that what it says? dashed Redhead at Tindei, grabbing him by the jacket's lapels. Does it say I've been to the vineyard? No. . . not that. . . you were just. . . mentioned as a. . . as an example! Tindei answered frightened, almost chocking and with
The Group
excerpt TEODOR: There's no need anyway. Bring me the notebook and you can manage it by yourself! (After a pause) Didn't you hear what I said?ILIE (in an undertone): Wait, I'll bring it to you later. . . TEODOR: I want now!ILIE: Now. . . I don't have it.
The Dreams Also Matter
excerpt A train puffed away from the smoky railway station. A number of pioneers were waving goodbye from the window of one of the cars. Among them, there was a familiar face: big, blue eyes, and the hair, as dark as a nutshell. Goodbye, my darlings!Goodbye, comrade instructor!The
Blue Evenings
excerpt VICA'S DIARY Vica had forgotten her diary under her pillow. Usually, she kept it in the drawer of her nightstand and in the evening, before turning off the light, she would write down her impressions of that day. Mica found it by chance. She was there tidying
Elegy For Wee Beings
Here was once the bedof a child who was borne,in a doll's box,to the park of earth and stone. Since then, in their corner obscurethe lead soldiers stand dumb,stock-still by the trumpetthinking of battlesand victories imaginary. A tin express trainin the wee cardboard
Mihaela
She holds my bag and I choose the most beautiful nectarines. Her mother is at another stall, a little farther away. Mihaela puts my nectarines on the scales, types and tells me the price. She should be in the seventh grade, but she hasn't been to school for three years.