Facing Life

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)