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.

Rodica (Tita) Ionas

Stella Davis

Dupa ce am ingropat fiara

Dupa ce am ingropat fiara
nu ne mai putem intoarce acasa.
O luam pe urmele gastelor care zboara-n stol spre sud
catre docurile linistite, unde zac gramada
corabiile noastre care odinioara strabateau marile.

Ele ne dau un licar de speranta.
Cine poate sa spuna ca nu vom reusi
sa ridicam iar ancora daca se schimba cursul?
Sunt locuri unde n-am ajuns vreodata:
acele tarmuri tainice.

E mult de cand ne-am pus vecinii-n cap,
cand i-am tradat si le-am stricat odihna. "Fa
tot ce poti", aceasta era legea.
Si ne-am supus de altfel, nu-i asa?
Toti tinerii aceia.

Acum cand vreo cativa nagati fac praf
porumbul crud, parca nici nu mai conteaza.
E uimitor, cat timp suntem in stare
sa traim de azi pe maine; cati ani sa fie oare
de cand tot postim?

Am mers mult prea departe venind pe urma fiarei.
Dar vlaga ni se duce, iar drumul este lung,
steagul sperantei noastre e doar zdrente,
si intelegem ce greu de indurat
e intoarcerea acasa.