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Joge Oliva

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Three Poems in the Loneliness of Columbia University

2 Keep this day

We are going to keep this day between the hours . . . J. Sabines
Today is for ever always. A. Machado

     So you are leaving.
You have not got there yet, still
I cannot learn the taste of your body, that sour smell
of animal without master or the way you have of reclining
                              your head.
the obstinate melancholy that drips from your eyes; still
I cannot discover your most secret corners,
that door does not definitely open
where I am suspicious of a terrible sun which is going to daze me
for ever; still
I am not out of the tremendous stupor of sharing with you
     these days
                     and already you must go. You say.
You must.
You have to.
You are leaving now.
                                Then what can we do now except walk
Beneath the trees of Riverside Park, devour together
this slow afternoon in which summer is ending, all the green
yellowness of the leaves, the trembling of the trees which suspect
already the coming autumn, all this tremendous light of August?

     Let us build now our memories,
those fragile castles of sand which will accompany us later
on the desolate nights of November.
Come,
            let’s run now towards the Hudson
so not to ever forget how the sun crashes
against the rooftops of New Jersey
                                                        - when we were together . . .
Let’s pay attention to every detail, please,
for this afternoon is going to save itself from the disaster for ever:
Today shall be always still.

 

Translated by A. C. Tucker

Page(s) 149-150

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