Stillborn parable

The beetle who loves to quarry dung

and work on filth like a goldsmith

doesn’t want to put up with the mint.

Nor will any of you accept my truth.

And you don’t even know your refusal strangles your eyes

and cuts off all the air

you had coming.

It’s okay. Everyone will join the fighting in his own way.

As for those who are naked, that’s their business!

Roque Dalton

translated by Jonathan Cohen


(Picture: untitled, Zdislav Beksinski)