Laura Pelegrina: “I Embrace You”

 

I Embrace You

 

Translated and read by Brogan Steers (University of Leeds)

 

To my grandfather

 

Weariness spills from your eyes,

from those that travelled the world from home.

Tell me, on looking back,

what do you see with your worn eyes?

does all that you grew from

the dry, inhuman land look tired?

Perhaps it all looks withered,

like olden tales?

 

Look at me carry your hand,

your big hand, weathered-beaten by time,

I step into your ageing eyes,

but still blue, still restless.

Look at me kiss your brow,

I want to peel your bark.

Look at me love you.

 

 

Te abrazo

 

A mi abuelo

 

El cansancio asoma a tus ojos,

a esos que recorrieron el mundo desde casa.

Dime, al mirar hacia atrás,

¿qué ves con tus ojos gastados?

¿con ellos ves antiguo todo cuanto labraste

en una tierra seca e inhumana?

¿acaso lo ves todo arrugado,

como viejas historias?

 

Mírame, yo sujeto tu mano grande,

tu mano curtida por el tiempo,

y me adentro en tus ojos de anciano,

pero aún azules, pero aún inquietos.

Mírame besarte en la frente,

quiero excavar tu corteza.

Mírame quererte.

 

Leído por la autora a la orilla del Mar Mediterráneo

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