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MABUHAY PRRD!

Monday, May 14, 2012

CHIMES FOR THE DEAD


(Campanades a morts)

I

Chimes for the dead
cry out for the war
of three sons who have lost
the three black bells.

And the people gather together
as the cry approaches;
three more sorrows now
to our memory.

Chimes for the dead
for the three mouths forever shut;
Woe unto that minstrel
who might forget the three notes!

Who took away the breath
from those young bodies
with no other treasure
than the cause of those who weep?

Murderers of reasons and lives,
may you never have rest throughout the rest of your days
and that in death may our memories persecute you.

Chimes for the dead
cry out for the war
of three sons who have lost
the three black bells.

II

Open my belly
for their eternal rest,
From my gardens
Bring the best flowers.

For these men
Dig deeply into me
and on my body
engrave their names.

Let no wind
disturb the sleep
of those who have died
without bowing their head in humiliation.

III

Seventeen years old only,
and you so old;
jealous of the light in their eyes
you wanted to close their eyelids
but you will not be able to, because we all keep this light
and our eyes will be lightning for your nights.

Seventeen years old only,
and you so old;
jealous of such a young beauty
you wanted to tear up their limbs
but you will not be able to, because we remember their body
and every night we will learn to love it.

Seventeen years old only,
and you so old;
powerless to the love he had
you have given him death to be his companion
but you will not be able to, because for everything that he loved
our body will always remain in spring.

Seventeen years old only,
and you so old;
jealous of the light in their eyes
you wanted to close their eyelids
but you will not be able to, because we all keep this light
and our eyes will be lightning for your nights.

IV

Misery turned into a poet
and wrote in the fields
in the form of trenches
and men marched towards them.
Each one was a word
of the victorious poem.

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