| February 2008 |
All work copyright
the owner. No
reproduction
without consent.
the owner. No
reproduction
without consent.
POEMS
Poems by Brazil's Edilson Afonso Ferreira
Witness of the Past
I was young and at my father’s home, every night,
Everybody went to sleep always to the same time.
And then, of everyone of the sons and the rooms,
The full darkness heard a ballad that was like this:
Give your blessing, dad; give your blessing, mum.
And of darkness came to each one: God blesses!
So, in bed and aloud, they joined saying prayers.
And this was a song of lull that did us put to sleep.
By morning, a sound of the backyard woke us up.
With an axe, father cracked firewood for the stove.
He was a scholar, but liked to work by an old style.
He was also so grave and serious man, despite that,
Never failed when we asked for a good companion.
He and my mother formed a very peculiar couple:
While he was the newest of a thirteen brothers’ clan,
She was the oldest of ten; married by the difference.
Her unique jewels were a watch and a wedding ring.
Nobody noticed any quarrel about anything, any day.
They lived and loved within a small circle: the family.
We had not gas stove, refrigerator, or electric shower.
My mother ironed clothes using a charcoal fired iron.
From smoky kitchen, she made so delicious lunches.
From hand crank sewing machine, so admirable suits.
From her kindness, sons acquired so powerful spirits.
You can believe that there were saints.
By that time, two of them lived with us.
An Old Friend Visits Me
I concealed love in the shadows of time.
Sometimes love visits me, always by night.
It does not come by day, does not want be seen.
Night, discreet and sweet, favors its appearance.
Arrives soft and tender, caresses and embraces me.
Says that the woman I had loved yet remembers us.
Sings a song of lull and I go to sleep.
Then, in my dream, love carries me
To meet the woman who I still love.
Sudden Love
When I saw you and faced your beauty,
You did not know that I ignored love.
Nor did I.
But you dared with adventure of youth
And, fearful, surprised, seduced, I was loved.
Love came, all of a sudden, firm and bold.
Despite no expected, lodged as beloved son
Who, long absent, returns to paternal home.
You looked me and your lips and eyes said strange words
That I had hever known and never listened to: I love you!
By these words, like a blessing, you joined us since then.
Destiny had wrapped that day with secret magic
And delivered it to us, as a rare and priceless gift.
I remember that I felt as if I was caught in a rain
That shakes winds and frightens with thunderbolts
But cleans skies, shines hearts, refreshes my soul!
With love you blew slumbered coals
That I had never supposed would exist.
Flame lit and rises, higher and higher.
Maybe reach even our hidden heaven.
Take care that flame just warms it, do not destroy.
Nor reveal to suspicious and envious human eyes.
Are Still the Cherubims on Guard?
When we and this world were young, long ago,
God inhabited the Garden of Eden and cared for us.
He loved man, indeed, but was also a stern God.
Some day, woman tried to raise her companion
More close to God.
More equal to him.
Had not he created man to his likeness?
Woman sought security and plenitude.
Then, she taught man science of good and evil -science of life-
Man turned from man to human, from companion to husband.
And he liked this.
Smiled and sung.
God heard and asked: What this carol? From whom is it?
Astonished and without any clemency, he banished them.
And said: you will eat bread with the sweat of your face.
Toiling the land, you will suffer with thorns and thistles.
Yours sons will come to light with suffering for your wife.
Oh, God, you had created a so wise and beautiful woman!
And you know that man fell in love with her because of it!
Would not be time to pardon this sin of love?
And disarm your cherubims’ flaming swords?
Poems by Brazil's Edilson Afonso Ferreira
Witness of the Past
I was young and at my father’s home, every night,
Everybody went to sleep always to the same time.
And then, of everyone of the sons and the rooms,
The full darkness heard a ballad that was like this:
Give your blessing, dad; give your blessing, mum.
And of darkness came to each one: God blesses!
So, in bed and aloud, they joined saying prayers.
And this was a song of lull that did us put to sleep.
By morning, a sound of the backyard woke us up.
With an axe, father cracked firewood for the stove.
He was a scholar, but liked to work by an old style.
He was also so grave and serious man, despite that,
Never failed when we asked for a good companion.
He and my mother formed a very peculiar couple:
While he was the newest of a thirteen brothers’ clan,
She was the oldest of ten; married by the difference.
Her unique jewels were a watch and a wedding ring.
Nobody noticed any quarrel about anything, any day.
They lived and loved within a small circle: the family.
We had not gas stove, refrigerator, or electric shower.
My mother ironed clothes using a charcoal fired iron.
From smoky kitchen, she made so delicious lunches.
From hand crank sewing machine, so admirable suits.
From her kindness, sons acquired so powerful spirits.
You can believe that there were saints.
By that time, two of them lived with us.
An Old Friend Visits Me
I concealed love in the shadows of time.
Sometimes love visits me, always by night.
It does not come by day, does not want be seen.
Night, discreet and sweet, favors its appearance.
Arrives soft and tender, caresses and embraces me.
Says that the woman I had loved yet remembers us.
Sings a song of lull and I go to sleep.
Then, in my dream, love carries me
To meet the woman who I still love.
Sudden Love
When I saw you and faced your beauty,
You did not know that I ignored love.
Nor did I.
But you dared with adventure of youth
And, fearful, surprised, seduced, I was loved.
Love came, all of a sudden, firm and bold.
Despite no expected, lodged as beloved son
Who, long absent, returns to paternal home.
You looked me and your lips and eyes said strange words
That I had hever known and never listened to: I love you!
By these words, like a blessing, you joined us since then.
Destiny had wrapped that day with secret magic
And delivered it to us, as a rare and priceless gift.
I remember that I felt as if I was caught in a rain
That shakes winds and frightens with thunderbolts
But cleans skies, shines hearts, refreshes my soul!
With love you blew slumbered coals
That I had never supposed would exist.
Flame lit and rises, higher and higher.
Maybe reach even our hidden heaven.
Take care that flame just warms it, do not destroy.
Nor reveal to suspicious and envious human eyes.
Are Still the Cherubims on Guard?
When we and this world were young, long ago,
God inhabited the Garden of Eden and cared for us.
He loved man, indeed, but was also a stern God.
Some day, woman tried to raise her companion
More close to God.
More equal to him.
Had not he created man to his likeness?
Woman sought security and plenitude.
Then, she taught man science of good and evil -science of life-
Man turned from man to human, from companion to husband.
And he liked this.
Smiled and sung.
God heard and asked: What this carol? From whom is it?
Astonished and without any clemency, he banished them.
And said: you will eat bread with the sweat of your face.
Toiling the land, you will suffer with thorns and thistles.
Yours sons will come to light with suffering for your wife.
Oh, God, you had created a so wise and beautiful woman!
And you know that man fell in love with her because of it!
Would not be time to pardon this sin of love?
And disarm your cherubims’ flaming swords?
Eleventh Transmission is Calgary's
arts, culture, media, and activism
magazine. We feature the work of
emerging and established writers and
artists from Calgary and beyond.
Eleventh Transmission believes that
art involves awareness and
connection -- to the community, and to
what goes on in the world at large. We
have a special interest in work that is
socially engaged.
New issues debut the first Monday of
every month. Next issue March 3.
If you like the magazine, or any
content in particular, please take a few
moments to share the link with your
friends.
Feel free to join our Mailing list or our
Facebook group.
arts, culture, media, and activism
magazine. We feature the work of
emerging and established writers and
artists from Calgary and beyond.
Eleventh Transmission believes that
art involves awareness and
connection -- to the community, and to
what goes on in the world at large. We
have a special interest in work that is
socially engaged.
New issues debut the first Monday of
every month. Next issue March 3.
If you like the magazine, or any
content in particular, please take a few
moments to share the link with your
friends.
Feel free to join our Mailing list or our
Facebook group.