To Juan Gelman

Gioconda Belli

To Juan Gelman

I think, Juan
that we are
a man and a woman
wandering aimlessly through the world,
with a muted question
behind the looks
and open hands
searching for bluebirds
tranquilizers for the pain
eaves where we can be safe from tears
mirrors in which to look
and find who sees
so sweetly with the same sweetness
so tenderly, with a tenderness from within
who removes us from solitude
leaves us warm
with no more sun than the sun
and embraces the warmth for life that we carry
our dawns
as if we were from the same country;
who takes us out on a walk under the trees
like stubborn little creatures
sniffing out love.

I think, Juan, that there is a mirror
where we peek out
at the same time.

— tr. Mónica Bruno Galmozzi