Poem
Rui Pires Cabral
THIS WAY OUT
But is there a way out? Imaginein insomnia the forests that grow
at such hours in other regions, the trains
that cross them to reach a destination
in the future of others.
Is there a way out? Imagine
night filled with violent cities,
the rumbling of engines in the subways
and rain falling on the black plastic
of strawberry fields, all the suffering
and uncertainty of the world.
And in the morning, look, it’s a beautiful
day. Your friends are getting up in the other room,
they’re heading down to the kitchen to make coffee.
But is there a way out?
© Translation: 2007, Alexis Levitin
THIS WAY OUT
THIS WAY OUT
Mas há uma saída? Imaginana insónia as florestas que crescem
a essas horas noutras regiões, os comboios
que as atravessam para alcançar um destino
no futuro dos outros.
Há uma saída? Imagina
a noite cheia de cidades violentas,
o retumbar das máquinas nos subterrâneos
e a chuva a cair no plástico negro
dos morangais, todo o sofrimento
e incerteza do mundo.
E de manhã, repara, está bonito
o tempo. Os amigos acordam no quarto ao lado,
descem à cozinha para fazer o café.
Mas há uma saída?
© 2005, Rui Pires Cabral
From: Longe da Aldeia
Publisher: Averno, Lisboa
From: Longe da Aldeia
Publisher: Averno, Lisboa
Poems
Poems of Rui Pires Cabral
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THIS WAY OUT
But is there a way out? Imaginein insomnia the forests that grow
at such hours in other regions, the trains
that cross them to reach a destination
in the future of others.
Is there a way out? Imagine
night filled with violent cities,
the rumbling of engines in the subways
and rain falling on the black plastic
of strawberry fields, all the suffering
and uncertainty of the world.
And in the morning, look, it’s a beautiful
day. Your friends are getting up in the other room,
they’re heading down to the kitchen to make coffee.
But is there a way out?
© 2007, Alexis Levitin
From: Longe da Aldeia
From: Longe da Aldeia
THIS WAY OUT
But is there a way out? Imaginein insomnia the forests that grow
at such hours in other regions, the trains
that cross them to reach a destination
in the future of others.
Is there a way out? Imagine
night filled with violent cities,
the rumbling of engines in the subways
and rain falling on the black plastic
of strawberry fields, all the suffering
and uncertainty of the world.
And in the morning, look, it’s a beautiful
day. Your friends are getting up in the other room,
they’re heading down to the kitchen to make coffee.
But is there a way out?
© 2007, Alexis Levitin
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