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.

Simona-Florentina Pavaloiu

Stella Davis

Dupa ingroparea monstrului

Dupa ce vom ingropa monstrul
nu ne vom mai putea intorce acasa.
O sa urmam gastele ce merg spre sud
catre docurile linistite ,unde stau ingramadite
nave ce odinioara infruntau marea.

Ele ne vor da un licar de speranta.
Cine va spune ca nu vom ridica panzele,
ca nu vom face fata incercarilor?
Undeva se afla coaste pe care n-am acostat vreodata.
Ascunsele tarmuri.

E multa vreme de cand ne-am sacrificat vecinii,
Nimicindu-le confortul. "Dati
tot ce aveti mai bun" aceasta era regula.
Si am urmat-o, nu-i asa?
Toti acei tineri.

Acum cand nagatii amagitori ne pustiesc
lanurile de porumb verde, se pare ca nu mai conteaza.
E surprinzator cat de mult timp
reusim sa o ducem de pe azi pe maine;
cati ani sunt de cand am mancat carne cruda?

Am ajuns prea departe pe urmele monstrului,
dar suntem distrusi, drumul se descalceste,
flamura de care ne-am agatat e sfasiata,
si descoperim ca nu putem indura
reintoarcerea acasa.