Plaça de la Pilar

Water circles the sleeping town,
the lions paw the quiet air.
The fountains, too, are resting in the night.

When light comes a waterfall will pour
over the wall of jagged rocks
marking the square where once

the Virgin came in a vision to John.
The bronze child holds a fish
that will spout diamonds in the sunlight

and at the feet of Goya
sheets of shimmering water will reflect
the damas and the caballeros.

Behind motionless painter,
child, fish, damas, caballeros,

cathedral spires rise in benediction.


Lari Smith

Zaragoza, Spain