Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Tallulah Flores

THE REVERSE OF THE FALL

Never let the simulacrum be superfluous
that overcomes fear in the morning.
Let a single action
                               be able to rescue
the entire work each day.
Let memory not matter
                               if it’s lost
if one knows how to conjure up all the horror
                               dwelling within it
and if the memorable features are recovered
no matter how tainted they are.

Let life be only that:
the misfortune of the mask,
fragments untimely learned,
the fall that does not show
                              among words exhausted
among dissolved remembrances
                              and dreams
this river eternally diverted and forsaken
or a cloud that slowly passes and travels over us
and lets itself be touched when it comes through the window
calling us and preparing us for the day.

EL REVES DE LA CAIDA

EL REVES DE LA CAIDA

Que nunca está de más el simulacro
que supera el miedo en la mañana.
Que un solo acto
                              puede rescatar
toda la obra cada día.
Que no importa la memoria
                              si se pierde
si se sabe conjurar todo el horror
                             que habita en ella
y se rescatan los rasgos memorables
por sucios que éstos sean.

Que la vida es sólo eso:
lo infausto de la máscara,
fragmentos aprendidos a destiempo,
la caída que no enseña
                             entre palabras que se agotan
entre recuerdos diluidos
                             y entre sueños
este río eternamente desviado y desertando
o una nube que pasa lentamente y nos recorre
y se deja transitar cuando traspasa la ventana
que nos llama y nos prepara para el día.
Close

THE REVERSE OF THE FALL

Never let the simulacrum be superfluous
that overcomes fear in the morning.
Let a single action
                               be able to rescue
the entire work each day.
Let memory not matter
                               if it’s lost
if one knows how to conjure up all the horror
                               dwelling within it
and if the memorable features are recovered
no matter how tainted they are.

Let life be only that:
the misfortune of the mask,
fragments untimely learned,
the fall that does not show
                              among words exhausted
among dissolved remembrances
                              and dreams
this river eternally diverted and forsaken
or a cloud that slowly passes and travels over us
and lets itself be touched when it comes through the window
calling us and preparing us for the day.

THE REVERSE OF THE FALL

Never let the simulacrum be superfluous
that overcomes fear in the morning.
Let a single action
                               be able to rescue
the entire work each day.
Let memory not matter
                               if it’s lost
if one knows how to conjure up all the horror
                               dwelling within it
and if the memorable features are recovered
no matter how tainted they are.

Let life be only that:
the misfortune of the mask,
fragments untimely learned,
the fall that does not show
                              among words exhausted
among dissolved remembrances
                              and dreams
this river eternally diverted and forsaken
or a cloud that slowly passes and travels over us
and lets itself be touched when it comes through the window
calling us and preparing us for the day.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère