The elements of the night

Under the smallest empire which the summer eroded,
fall into decay the days, faith and expectancies.
In the last valley
destructiveness is glutted
in conquered cities, affronted by the ash.

The rain extinguishes
the woodlands lit by lightning.
The night leaves its venom.
The words fall apart against the air.

Nothing is restored; nothing returns
the green to the scorched fields.

Neither will the exiled water
appear at the fountain
nor will the bones of the eagle
return to its wings.

José Emilio Pacheco

Translation: Germain Droogenbroodt

 

Los elementos de la noche

Bajo el mínimo imperio que el verano ha roído
se derrumban los días, la fe, las previsiones.
En el último valle
la destrucción se sacia
en ciudades vencidas que la ceniza afrenta.

La lluvia extingue
el bosque iluminado por el relámpago.
La noche deja su veneno.
Las palabras se rompen contra el aire.

Nada se restituye, nada otorga
el verdor a los campos calcinados.

Ni el agua en su destierro
sucederá a la fuente
ni los huesos del águila
volverán por sus alas.

José Emilio Pacheco

de: “Los elementos de la noche”,
© José Emilio Pacheco y Ediciones Era, México

José Emilio Pacheco was born in Mexico City on 1939. Very soon he started to write poetry, which remained not undiscovered in Latin America. Later, his fame as a most gifted poet, crossed as well the language borders. Since the second part of the former century his name is mentioned as often as the other world famous famous Mexican poet, the late Octavio Paz. Pacheco published a large number of poetry collections, such as: Los elementos de la noche (1963); El reposo del fuego (1966); No me preguntes cómo pasa el tiempo (1969); Irás y no volverás (1973); Islas a la deriva (1976); Desde entonces (1980); Trabajos en el mar (1983); Miro la tierra (1983-86); Ciudad de la memoria (1988)