Poem
José Tolentino Mendonça
THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER
Sometimes I miss having no one I can tella certain day from beginning to end
the real enchantment of the steady wind
all along the shore at Foz do Douro
what I’d give (and I’d give everything) for compassion
We’re born and we live for only a while
we have nothing
and not even when dusk arrives are we able
to choose attention or choose forgetfulness
our forces founder like hazy intentions
in public
or in any place
That’s why I put so much stock
in the unquestionable nature of your eyes
where the light records its every aspect
your impatient and inconceivable eyes
here with me now
as I dance alone
in the empty city
© Translation: 2006, Richard Zenith
O último dia do verão
O último dia do verão
Pois às vezes me falta a quem contarcerto dia passado do princípio ao fim
o encanto que tenha realmente
a insistência do vento ao longo da Foz
aquilo que daria (e eu daria tudo) por compaixão
Nascemos e vivemos só algum tempo
não temos nada
não podemos mesmo na penumbra
decidir a atenção ou o esquecimento
as forças soçobram como vago motivos
em público
e em qualquer lugar
Por isso sei tão bem o valor
da natureza indiscutível dos teus olhos
onde a luz anota seus aspectos
teus olhos impacientes e irrealizáveis
que me acompanham
agora que sozinho danço
pela cidade vazia
© 2001, José Tolentino Mendonça
From: A Noite Abre Meus Olhos
Publisher: Assírio & Alvim, Lisbon
From: A Noite Abre Meus Olhos
Publisher: Assírio & Alvim, Lisbon
Poems
Poems of José Tolentino Mendonça
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THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER
Sometimes I miss having no one I can tella certain day from beginning to end
the real enchantment of the steady wind
all along the shore at Foz do Douro
what I’d give (and I’d give everything) for compassion
We’re born and we live for only a while
we have nothing
and not even when dusk arrives are we able
to choose attention or choose forgetfulness
our forces founder like hazy intentions
in public
or in any place
That’s why I put so much stock
in the unquestionable nature of your eyes
where the light records its every aspect
your impatient and inconceivable eyes
here with me now
as I dance alone
in the empty city
© 2006, Richard Zenith
From: A Noite Abre Meus Olhos
From: A Noite Abre Meus Olhos
THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER
Sometimes I miss having no one I can tella certain day from beginning to end
the real enchantment of the steady wind
all along the shore at Foz do Douro
what I’d give (and I’d give everything) for compassion
We’re born and we live for only a while
we have nothing
and not even when dusk arrives are we able
to choose attention or choose forgetfulness
our forces founder like hazy intentions
in public
or in any place
That’s why I put so much stock
in the unquestionable nature of your eyes
where the light records its every aspect
your impatient and inconceivable eyes
here with me now
as I dance alone
in the empty city
© 2006, Richard Zenith
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