Diego de Jesus
from La Luz / The Light
Mist is laid over the road
Dissipates the city and rebuilds
Its image fragmented by the river
That goes on and stops under the archTied up to the bank it can be seen
To jump from one bridge to another secretly
Sometimes the current drags shadows
That no-one notices hidden in the dailiesThe mist is confused with the river
This boat is just concealed
By the giant that was and is drowning
Bridges wounded in the very centre
The poem sinks under its own weight
And everything described dissolves[JDT and the poet]
*If I see her passing down this street
furious before the pouring rain
defenceless and damp and pretty
swearing to God or to the Queen
hanging from a battered umbrella
full of mud and rage between the puddles
obscenely herself to the right clutch
balancing the rhythm of her two legs
that from time to time are four
If I could see her passing: all by herself
unhusbanded, protected
by her dog and the sight of her. Alone,
no-one encircling her but the wind
or the gaze of others, that leaf swirlIf I could see her passing : I could spare her
a bit of attention and then, nothing[JDT and the poet]
Translated by John D TaylorDiego de Jesus
Page(s) 174-175
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