Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Juan Manuel Roca

A Man of His Word

I trace the word skin. At a feast of claws and feathers the word crow dismembers it
like a flayed beast.

I sow the word jasmine. When it’s about to sprout its fragrance, the word desert
wipes it out, whisks away its sap.

I write the word eternity and a rose withers. I hurl the word bird and it spirals down,
featherless and dry.

Not even the word water remains of the word ice.

UN HOMBRE DE PALABRA

UN HOMBRE DE PALABRA

Trazo la palabra piel. En un festín de garras y de plumas la palabra cuervo la desmembra como a una res desollada.

Siembro la palabra jazmín. Cuando está a punto de brotar su aroma, la palabra desierto la borra, escamotea su savia.

Escribo la palabra eternidad y una rosa se marchita. Arrojo la palabra pájaro y cae en espiral, desplumada y seca.

Ni siquiera la palabra agua queda de la palabra hielo.
Close

A Man of His Word

I trace the word skin. At a feast of claws and feathers the word crow dismembers it
like a flayed beast.

I sow the word jasmine. When it’s about to sprout its fragrance, the word desert
wipes it out, whisks away its sap.

I write the word eternity and a rose withers. I hurl the word bird and it spirals down,
featherless and dry.

Not even the word water remains of the word ice.

A Man of His Word

I trace the word skin. At a feast of claws and feathers the word crow dismembers it
like a flayed beast.

I sow the word jasmine. When it’s about to sprout its fragrance, the word desert
wipes it out, whisks away its sap.

I write the word eternity and a rose withers. I hurl the word bird and it spirals down,
featherless and dry.

Not even the word water remains of the word ice.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère