Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Lauren Mendinueta

POSTHUMOUS POEM

The book I am writing
Is a grave much anticipated.
Were I to make a list of what
Remains to me
It would be this:
THERE IS NO BODY LEFT.
Maybe writing a poem was the best thing
Even though poetry is good for nothing.
At times I thought
I was outside of History
Escaping from hard times
Just a damn illusion!
I succeeded at silence like the others
But I could not forget
The sound of each letter.
I know that a poem
Will not justify my choice
And that death
Cannot vanquish History.
So then
Why do I fear this book?

POEMA PÓSTUMO

POEMA PÓSTUMO

El libro que estoy escribiendo
Es una tumba anticipada.
Si hiciera una lista de aquello
Que no me queda
Sería esta:
NO ME QUEDA UN CUERPO.
Tal vez escribir un poema fue lo mejor
Aunque la poesía no sirve de nada.
A veces creí
Estar fuera de la Historia
¡Maldita ilusión
Para escapar de un tiempo cruel!
Pude ser silenciosa como los otros
Pero no pude olvidar
El sonido de las letras.
Sé que un poema
No justificará mi elección
Y que la muerte
No puede vencer a la Historia.
Entonces
¿Por qué le temo a este libro?
Close

POSTHUMOUS POEM

The book I am writing
Is a grave much anticipated.
Were I to make a list of what
Remains to me
It would be this:
THERE IS NO BODY LEFT.
Maybe writing a poem was the best thing
Even though poetry is good for nothing.
At times I thought
I was outside of History
Escaping from hard times
Just a damn illusion!
I succeeded at silence like the others
But I could not forget
The sound of each letter.
I know that a poem
Will not justify my choice
And that death
Cannot vanquish History.
So then
Why do I fear this book?

POSTHUMOUS POEM

The book I am writing
Is a grave much anticipated.
Were I to make a list of what
Remains to me
It would be this:
THERE IS NO BODY LEFT.
Maybe writing a poem was the best thing
Even though poetry is good for nothing.
At times I thought
I was outside of History
Escaping from hard times
Just a damn illusion!
I succeeded at silence like the others
But I could not forget
The sound of each letter.
I know that a poem
Will not justify my choice
And that death
Cannot vanquish History.
So then
Why do I fear this book?
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère