And now the solitude with no strings (Y ya la soledad sin ataduras)

Tonight I celebrate poem number 100!  And now I’m starting to panic because the more I re-read my Dad’s books the more I realised he cheated a little, which might cause that I run out of poems between now and the end of the year.  I have discovered that Dad often revisited his own poetry, re-published some significant verses from his previous books in new ones, sometimes with a different title, sometimes varying a few lines.  Anyway, I’m not backing up!  I’ll keep going until I have nothing else to translate.

Here’s one that I hold very close to my heart.  I can hear Dad reciting it.  Unfortunately the rhyme doesn’t work as well in English.  Anyway, enjoy it.  From my Dad’s book Twilight theory (Teoría del crepúsculo).

And now the solitude with no strings (Y ya la soledad sin ataduras)

I am very close to the silence.

Now I understand the lineage of the old;

now my word becomes advice,

confidence and healing truth.

I loved the light and come from dawn

traveller to the last reflection

of twilight. The night is the mirror

where the vigilant soul observes itself.

I start to close doors behind me.

I eliminate one by one the uncertain vanities

that I have loved and suffered.

I enjoy a solitude with no strings,

I do not recognise happiness and sorrow,

I love yesterday, the shadow and oblivion.