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.

Cristina Florea

Stella Davis

Dupa ce am ascuns monstrul

Dupa ce am ascuns monstrul,
nu ne putem intoarce acasa.
Privim gastele zburand spre sud,
spre docurile tacute unde ne zaceau navele,
odinioara bune de navigat.

Ele ne-au daruit o licarire de speranta.
Cine spune ca nu vom ridica din nou panzele,
cand apele vor fi prielnice? Acolo sunt tarmuri
unde nu am debarcat vreodata:
tainuitoare tarmuri.

Multa vreme de atunci, ne-am impotrivit vecinilor nostri,
sfasiindu-le linistea prin intermediul unui sacrificiu.
Regula era „Dati tot ce puteti”.
Am urmat-o, nu-i asa?
Toti acei tineri au facut-o.

Acum cand nagatii inselatori aduc distrugeri
graului crud, nu prea-i mai pasa nimanui.
Si totusi reusim in mod surprinzator sa supravietuim;
Cati ani or fi trecut
de cand mancasem carne rosie?

Am mers atat de departe, pana in madularele monstrului.
Insa urmele dispar, drumul se intrezareste,
Steagul de care odinioara ne-am agatat zace acum fasii,
iar noi descoperim
ca nu mai avem putere sa ne intoarcem acasa.