THREE POEMS FROM DEPARTURE
-
Víctor Rodríguez Núñez (Cuba)
1
on this patio where everything happens
among areca palms hummingbirds and taro
plants
sand of the days unlived
celestial agriculture
there is no time only space
an unruly light
reluctant to put down roots like you
and everything ensues at the same moment
an abrupt flatland a star already mentioned
in roman ruins
the corn constellated with fireflies
bitten by desperation
you bark hopeful
in your marrow the may rain
2
when you blow out the candle
the chairs in the living room switch on
oscillate like hanged men
and the flip-flops creak without taking a
step
they call each other names in galician
follow the rhythm crashing their bones
in sleeplessness they surface
from the snow burnt with no memory
the shadow wants to show up naked
you are going to cross the bridge
with a rusty cardinal fear
it is time to stay everywhere
at least the plum tree has blossomed
in the depths of the dream is death
3
severe law of the tropics the crosswise look
from the palm leaf hat
and the twinkling sea star
language takes off its shirt
it starts fanning you
to the rhythm of the land breeze the roots
embrace
gumbo-limbo and ateje trees
their shade strikes you down like lightning
won’t let you dream get your act together
lust wears perfume
kissing to the teeth love bites
the image quartered by the rain
with its nerves in embers
the torments rise from the mirrors
(Translated
into English by Katherine M. Hedeen.
Managing Editor: Action Books.)
****