Poem
Carlos López Degregori
EL TALENTO Y EL AMOR
At seven on the dot, after my dog’s cold cries, I close the barbershop as I have done for thirty-four years. Then I meet with the animal and sweep up the whole day’s hair.I detest the chipped mirror, the unfeeling razor, the cloying smell of unwashed scalps. I envy the desolate eyes, the secret marks that distinguish the skulls.
Why, among all possible talents, don’t I have love?
I sleepwalk holding scissors and I sleep because the chair revolves and my heart is an interminable strap that sharpens knives.
It was fate that made me a barber.
I learned to cut off hair instead of heads.
© Translation: 2010, Robin Myers
Publisher: First published on PIW, , 2010
Publisher: First published on PIW, , 2010
HET TALENT EN DE LIEFDE
Precies om zeven uur, na het ijzige gejank van mijn hond, sluit ik de kapperszaak, al sinds vierendertig jaar. Vervolgens verenig ik me met dat beest en veeg het opgehoopte haar van de dag op.Ik haat de gehavende spiegel, het ongevoelige mes, de zoetige lucht van ongewassen haar. Ik benijd de lege ogen van mijn klanten, de geheime tekens die ieders hoofd onderscheiden.
Zo veel talenten, waarom viel mij niet de liefde ten deel?
Slapend loop ik met een schaar in mijn hand en ik slaap omdat deze stoel draait en mijn hart een oneindig slijpleer is.
Het was mijn lot om kapper te worden.
Van al dat haren knippen heb ik niet geleerd koppen te snellen.
© Vertaling: 2010, Mariolein Sabarte Belacortu
EL TALENTO Y EL AMOR
A las siete en punto, después del llanto helado de mi perro, desde hace treinta y cuatro años cierro la peluquería. Después me reúno con ese animal y voy barriendo todo el pelo acumulado en el día.Odio el espejo desportillado, la navaja insensible, el olor dulzón del cabello sin lavar. Envidio los ojos desolados de mis clientes, las marcas secretas que diferencian sus cabezas.
¿Por qué entre todos los talentos no me tocó el amor?
Camino dormido sosteniendo una tijera y duermo porque gira esta silla y mi corazón es una correa de afilar interminable.
Me hice peluquero por fatalidad.
De tanto cortar pelo no aprendí a segar las cabezas.
© 1988, Carlos López Degregori
From: Cielo forzado
Publisher: Seglusa / Colmillo Blanco, Lima
From: Cielo forzado
Publisher: Seglusa / Colmillo Blanco, Lima
Poems
Poems of Carlos López Degregori
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EL TALENTO Y EL AMOR
At seven on the dot, after my dog’s cold cries, I close the barbershop as I have done for thirty-four years. Then I meet with the animal and sweep up the whole day’s hair.I detest the chipped mirror, the unfeeling razor, the cloying smell of unwashed scalps. I envy the desolate eyes, the secret marks that distinguish the skulls.
Why, among all possible talents, don’t I have love?
I sleepwalk holding scissors and I sleep because the chair revolves and my heart is an interminable strap that sharpens knives.
It was fate that made me a barber.
I learned to cut off hair instead of heads.
© 2010, Robin Myers
From: Cielo forzado
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW, Lima
From: Cielo forzado
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW, Lima
EL TALENTO Y EL AMOR
At seven on the dot, after my dog’s cold cries, I close the barbershop as I have done for thirty-four years. Then I meet with the animal and sweep up the whole day’s hair.I detest the chipped mirror, the unfeeling razor, the cloying smell of unwashed scalps. I envy the desolate eyes, the secret marks that distinguish the skulls.
Why, among all possible talents, don’t I have love?
I sleepwalk holding scissors and I sleep because the chair revolves and my heart is an interminable strap that sharpens knives.
It was fate that made me a barber.
I learned to cut off hair instead of heads.
© 2010, Robin Myers
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW,
Publisher: 2010, First published on PIW,
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