They remain lying on the earth - Agnès Agboton

They remain lying on the earth

the dark bodies of men

after a useless death

and in the hidden heart of the

others

the flame of hatred is still

burning

ignorantly awake.

Useless hatred.

 

Inside a calm refuge

of beautiful walls

all has changed;

two important men have smiled

to each other,

they have shaken hands.

 

Again, all is useless,

the struggle of the living,

the death of the dead.

Again, all is useless,

the hunger...

---

Agnès Agboton (born 1960) Benin

Translated by Agnès Agboton and Maya García Vinuesa

Source: National Poetry Library