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.

Violeta Mitu

Stella Davis

Dupa ce am ingropat monstrul

Dupa ce am ingropat monstrul
nu ne putem intoarce acasa.
Urmam stolul de rate ce catre sud se indreapta,
spre docurile linistite, unde zac parasite
barcile noastre, candva mandria marii.

Mai poti spera, uitandu-te la ele.
Cine spune ca nu vom naviga din nou,
ca nu vom reusi sa prindem fluxul cand revine?
sunt inca multe coaste neatinse: acele tarmuri
ce-si ascund misterul.

Mult timp de-atunci, ne-am indreptat catre vecinii nostri,
si mangaiere le-am adus, prin sacrificiu. "Dati
din ce voi aveti mai bun", ni se cerea.
Iar noi asa faceam, stii bine.
Toti acei tineri.

Acum, cand stolul de nagati lasa pustiu
porumbul verde, abia de mai conteaza.
Ciudat, cat timp am reusit
sa stam in viata; nici carne nu stim
de cand nu am mai mancat.

Am mers atat de mult pe urmele monstrului.
Dar urma ni se sterge, drumul se pierde,
steagul de care am tinut atat s-a sfasiat,
si constatam acum ca acasa
nu suportam sa ne intoarcem.