The Wind
over the mirror of river
gathers
The Wind
over the sources adorned with water lilies
collects
the laughter of water carriers.
The Wind
over the paths
in the tree tops and the herbs
harvests
the songs of workers.
In the bushes and the copses
over the stems of flowers
The Wind
gleans
the fragrances of the woods.
At the edge of the village
The Wind
Washes up, adorns itself with velvet.
Sits [seated]
on the roof of huts
on the steps carried.
Lying down in the yard
Revives the sleeping embers
The Wind
Counts
the dreams of men.
In the trees
The Wind
shakes
the young branches
To tell the child farewell.
Whistling through the ravines
Over the top of the oceans and the cities
Hardly stopping at one old inn
In a field of flowers
The Wind
Over the old roads of the world
In a crease of time
Takes away
Its harvest of souvenirs.
Bernard Binlin Dadié (1916 - 2019) Cote d'Ivoire
Translated by Margaret E. Wright-Cleveland
Source: Bernard Binlin Dadié Man of Letters [Hommes des Tous les Continents by Bernard Binlin Dadié, page 44]
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep your comments relevant and free from abusive language. Thank you. Note that comments are moderated so it may be a day or two before your comment is posted - irrelevant or abusive comments will not be published.