Facing Life
By Magda Portal
Translated By Kathleen Weaver
Facing Life
I take up this unbridled cry
broad wave crashing on
my heart's beach
I HAVE NO PRECEDENT
I love the Land
because I come from its bosom
but my arms
reach toward the sea
the sun beats on my shoulders
morning's smile
has brackish kisses
the city opens its iron gates
to let in hunger's slaves
where man tattooed with sadness
gnaws his daily bread:
"every day is the same"
heavy shackle
eyes of an executed man
hands scratching at obscure ideas
light-hearted clouds
joy of the fields
joy of the sky
joy of the sea
HAPPINESS shattered windows
signed by the cross of love
a small cross on his back
enslaved worker humble son of the Earth
where everything's on loan
even the light laughing down
on his condemned forehead
jailed man of yesterday
the subterranean sea of the past boils
where the roots of today's men
draw nourishment
chained to memory
specter tracking our steps
like blood guilt
always we are
our parents' children
talon of flesh of fatherland of god
biting at our heels
But I I
facing Life
I hold in my hand its red apple
and I am here enormous sea
human Sea
my Sea
you the only free thing under the sun
you lash the clouds
with flags of sunset-reddened foam
you have taught me
the joyful sadness of the journey
IMMIGRANT MAN
newly liberated MAN
I HAVE NO PRECEDENT
yell of the Sea
behind blue hills
the Sun companion of every day
greets me with the gift of morning
and the broad wave
sinks in the beach of my heart
its libertarian crimsons
Copyright Credit: Magda Portal, "Facing Life" from Hope and the Sea. Copyright © 2021 by Magda Portal. Reprinted by permission of Dulzorada Press.
Source: Hope and the Sea (Dulzorada Press, 2021)