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.

Fabiola Popa

Stella Davis

Dupa ingroparea monstrului

Dupa ingroparea monstrului
nu ne putem intoarce acasa.
Urmam gastele ce se indreapta spre sud
catre docurile tacute, unde zac in ruina
corabiile noastre ce odata infruntau marea.

Dinspre ele se vede licarind un fir de speranta.
Cine spune ca nu vom mai porni iar pe valuri
ca nu vom face fata schimbarii fluxului?
Sunt coaste la care nu am ancorat niciodata:
misterioase tarmuri.

De-atunci a trecut mult timp.
Ne-am asmutit semenii si le-am stricat
linistea prin sacrificiu.
"Sa dai ce ai mai bun", spune legea.
Ne-am conformat, nu-i asa ?
Toti tinerii aceia.

Acum cand un stol talhar de nagati
face ravagii prin porumbul verde
nu pare a mai conta.
Nu e uimitor,
ce mult timp putem supravietui
cu aproape nimic;
cati ani sunt oare
de cind nu am mai mincat carne rosie?

Am mers atat de departe dupa monstru
dar urma abia se mai vede,
drumul se asterne in fata noastra,
steagul de care ne-am agatat zace sfisiat
si descoperim ca nu mai putem duce
povara intoarcerii acasa.