Stella Davis

After burying the monster

After burying the monster
we cannot return home.
We follow the geese skeining south
to the quiet docks, where lie in hulk
our ships once seaworthy.

They let loose a flickering hope.
Who is to say we shan't set sail again, rise
to the occasion as the tide turns? There
are coasts where we never landed: those
secretive shores.

A long time since, we turned on our neighbours,
rending their comfort by way of a sacrifice. "Give
of your best" was the rule.
We obeyed it, didn't we?
All those young men.

Now when a deceit of lapwings ravages the
green corn, it scarcely seems to matter.
Surprising, how long we are able
to eke a living; how many years
since we ate red meat?

We went so far, in the steps of the monster.
But the dint wears away, the road unravels,
the flag we clung to lies shredded,
and we find we cannot bear
to return home.

Paula Sezonov

Stella Davis

Dupa ce am ingropat monstrul

Dupa ce am ingropat monstrul
nu ne putem intoarce acasa.
Urmam gastele care o iau spre sud
catre docurile linistite, unde stau
vapoarele noastre odata capabile sa tina marea –
acum doar niste carcase.

Ele emana o speranta care abia mai palpaie.
Cine poate sa spuna ca nu vom ridica panzele din nou, ca nu vom prinde
prilejul odata cu schimbarea fluxului? Exista
taramuri pe care nu am acostat niciodata: acele
tarmuri secrete.

Cu mult timp in urma, ne-am intors impotriva vecinilor nostri,
stricandu-le confortul printr-un sacrificiu. "Dati – ne
ce aveti mai bun" era regula.
Si am respectat-o, nu-i asa?
Toti oamenii aia tineri.

Acum cand nagati amagitori distrug
porumbul verde, abia daca mai are vreo importanta.
E surprinzator cata vreme suntem in stare
sa o ducem de azi pe maine; cati ani pot sa treaca
de cand n-am mai mancat carne rosie?

Atat de departe am ajuns, pe urmele monstrului.
Dar zimtul se toceste, drumul se descurca,
steagul de care ne tineam e acum ferfenita,
iar noi descoperim ca nu putem suporta
sa ne intoarcem acasa.