Fear

by Magda Portal (Peru)
translated by Kathleen Weaver

Fear of speech fear of what might overflow in an uncontainable
river of sweet strange words sometimes with the flavor of salt
and iodine profound fragrances or sinister and terrible as
newly–shed blood others aye like the night–chiseling cry of
entrance itself

But stone silence sealed you while in your eyes your ears your
heart seethes a vast tumult of words hitherto unheard music
hellish tonalities tremolos of death

Can no other mouth no other hands be given you no other feet
with which to walk the world a new Niobe goaded by all desires
your maddened voice cascades in song a tale of grief and
wrecked hope

Your far eyes reflect the sun the shimmering golds of late
afternoon