The Crossing



For centuries he crossed the desert
In pursuit of a comet

he carried with him
lemons from Alexandria
and one day unraveled the color jade
in his dreams of the ghost of Delphi

he found paths and transfigured palm trees
many hidden between keystones
and mirages
until the day he was paralyzed
from looking at the milky way

and in the dew and shudder of his face
all shape resigned
except for the thin line that the veil drew
all across the horizon

it was then he saw the fruit
come looseand tumble
in blood, as he whispered
his love for the crossing
with awestruck eyes

Luís Carmelo
(translation: Bernardo Palmeirim)