I am the only one left
Who knows the name of a fish merchant
Who sold fish for a living
In a Bucharest market
Almost one hundred years ago,
So much for eternity…
His name was Marin
And I never saw his face
And I never smelled his sweat
Or touched his body,
So much for eternity…
I only know that he caught fish
For a living
And he had children
And he had a wife
And many times he doubted God
So he must have known
What love is
What pain is
What life is
I am the only one left
Who knows that Marin died
In his sleep
Because of a weak heart
And when they buried him
The priest promised
Remembrance forever,
So much for eternity…
I am the only one left
Who knows that Marin
Has never known his grandchild
And stroked his hair
And patted his back
And said: I’ll show you how to catch fish
Because I am that grandchild
And he was my grandfather
And I never saw his face
And I never smelled his sweat
Or touched his body,
So much for eternity…
