Sketch of Time
by Coral Bracho
Between the wind and the darkness,
between the ascending/increasing pleasure/joy
and the deep quietness,
between the elation of my white dress
and the nocturnal hollowness of the mine,
the gentle eyes of my father that wait; his glowing
happiness. I rise to meet him. It is the land
of small stars, and on it,
upon its rocks of pyrite, the sun descends. High clouds
of quartz, of flint. In his look, in its encircling light,
the warmth of amber.
He lifts me in his arms. He comes close.
Our shadow leans against the bank. He puts me down.
He gives me his hand.
All the descent
is a silent pleasure,
a dark warmth,
a glowing plenitude.
Something in that calm covers us, something protects us
and lifts us,
very softly
as we go down.
The literal translation of this poem was made by Tom Boll
The final translated version of the poem is by Katherine Pierpoint
© Poetry Translation Centre 2004-2012
Carmen says:
Why "wherever it is touched by the sunset"? In Spanish it definitely means "the sun sets on it". Simpler, loyal to the original version, more beautiful. The rest I do like!