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Poem

António Franco Alexandre

Syrinx, a Pastoral Fiction (XVII)

Sorry, I didn’t realize that you sing
in silence, all alone. In this heat
you should drink ice water; it’s also a good idea
not to worship idols – including, for example,
your own self-image that torments you
(or that torments me?).
Other examples include babylonian gardens,
eruptions of mt. etna, the aphrodisiac
effect of diamonds,
and the arts and sciences of education.
I’m going to sit right here, breathe possible
but inevitably unreal things until it hurts,
and learn knot by knot how you untie yourself.
We’ll fall into a well without
parachute or compass and be the first
twin love in the world.

Syrinx, Ficção Pastoral (XVII)

Syrinx, Ficção Pastoral (XVII)

Perdoa, não sabia que cantavas
Em sossego, silenciosamente. Neste calor
é preciso beber água gelada; também convém
não adorar ídolos, por exemplo a imagem
que aí trazes de ti e te atormenta
(ou me atormenta a  mim?).
Outros exemplos incluem jardins de babilónia,
Erupções do etna, o efeito
afrodisíaco do diamante,
as ciências da educação.
Vou-me sentar aqui, respirar até doer
as coisas possíveis nunca reais,
aprender, nó a nó, como te soltas;
Vamos cair num poço, sem
bússola e pára-quedas, vamos ser o primeiro
amor a dois no mundo.
Close

Syrinx, a Pastoral Fiction (XVII)

Sorry, I didn’t realize that you sing
in silence, all alone. In this heat
you should drink ice water; it’s also a good idea
not to worship idols – including, for example,
your own self-image that torments you
(or that torments me?).
Other examples include babylonian gardens,
eruptions of mt. etna, the aphrodisiac
effect of diamonds,
and the arts and sciences of education.
I’m going to sit right here, breathe possible
but inevitably unreal things until it hurts,
and learn knot by knot how you untie yourself.
We’ll fall into a well without
parachute or compass and be the first
twin love in the world.

Syrinx, a Pastoral Fiction (XVII)

Sorry, I didn’t realize that you sing
in silence, all alone. In this heat
you should drink ice water; it’s also a good idea
not to worship idols – including, for example,
your own self-image that torments you
(or that torments me?).
Other examples include babylonian gardens,
eruptions of mt. etna, the aphrodisiac
effect of diamonds,
and the arts and sciences of education.
I’m going to sit right here, breathe possible
but inevitably unreal things until it hurts,
and learn knot by knot how you untie yourself.
We’ll fall into a well without
parachute or compass and be the first
twin love in the world.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère