Five Ephemeras in Memory of a New Year
by Erik Stinus
i
the sky is hazy neutral a fragile slope
calm after a violent nightmare
leaning over the sea it is stretching
and nearing happy and surprised
that reality is coming to meet it
these green trees those poor men
schoolgirls carrying books in their arms
the dark bound them to blindness
the morning dissolves all shadows
all eyes are seeing
ii
look at these eyes
roses and cherry blossom
ships and birds fading stars
and the torch procession
these red faces wearing no masks
but singing and with their songs
conquering the false darkness
the churchyards and the crematoriums
to preach the gospel in a new way
iii
since you led me into the desert
telling me about the secret life of stones
since you showed me the lone fertility of the oases
I'll whisper to you
that I don't like to see women in uniform
because I want beauty to be immortal
that men in khaki would be more useful
playing cards and drinking beer
that I want the music to return
the music of the waterfall
and the colors of the rainbow
of the swamp the colors of nakedness
and of love
iv
today all has recovered its voice
we need no longer speak our mother tongue
to be understood
water lilies have tongues
chestnuts have tongues
all dumb things speak and listen
and winding concrete roads
cannot frighten us with their autumn
their heartless mirrors and headlights
v
I am standing at the bulwark
singing for you
day and night
singing your own songs to call you back
I see you once more at your stage entrance
the snow of spotlights lying on your shoulders
birds of sorrow
sitting on your head
and you ready to re-conquer
the indifferent darkness of your audience
with your love
Erik Stinus
