803 | DARK NIGHT

Dark Night

The flowers withered,

their petals fell

stained with ochre.

The blizzard did it for them

with an immense whirlwind

that unleashed its fury, lashing

villages and regions . . .

Between thick thunderclouds,

weak dewdrops

and that loose earth

sprouting soft colors

in the shape of a black flower

that placidly filled with light

the darkest nights . . .

Ernesto Lobo, Perú

Translation Germain Droogenbroodt – Stanley Barkan