SECTION EIGHT
POETRY PAGE ONE

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COLUMN 101, JANUARY 1, 2004
(Copyright © 2004 The Blacklisted Journalist)

(Photo by Carlos Arturo Puerta)

[From Colombia's celebrated poet, Raúl Henao of Medellin, here's another poem in Spanish, accompanied by its English translation, both from Raúl's La vida a la carta or Life a la carte.]

DANZA DE LOS ELEMENTOS

Al mediodía veo un buzo caminar
las calles desiertas de la ciudad. 
A la medianoche hallo un comedor
de fuego en el refrigerador.  

Pero en cualquier momento diferente
del día, el viento camina a mi lado
murmurando finas palabras de arena
en mis oídos.  

Como las hojas secas del árbol
bailo tomado de las manos de la brisa
que después huye semejante a una tropa
de muchachas:  

Las cabelleras floridas, las vestiduras
transparentes y aladas,
La risa como un terrón de azúcar
en la bebida oscura de la noche.  ##  

* * *  

DANCE OF THE ELEMENTS

At noon I see a deep-sea diver walk
the deserted city streets
At midnight I find a fire­-
eater in the icebox.  

But at any given moment
of the day, the wind walks beside me
whispering pure words of sand
in my ears.  

Like the dry leaves of the tree
I dance clasped by the hands of the breeze
that later escapes like a bevy
of girls:  

Flowers in their hair, their garments
transparent and winged,
Laughter like a lump of sugar
in the dark drink of night.  ##

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