The wind shivers
hurried on by winter
tired, it crosses silently
shyly, the midday sun
emerges again
the people
smelling of coal

The neighbors cross

the threshold
of the inn
becoming regular patrons
walking slowly
sometimes drinking broth
eating pine nut empanadas
from the pot, gnawing on bones
after Holy Week
the beaches in Los Vilos
are empty
In September
the people return,
floating in the air the sounds
of mournful tunes
cheerful cueca rhythms
the radios bring news
politics is heard

carefully

and without blame
the talkative ones declare
freely their feelings
They take note of the weather
and the news floods
their emotions
with its tragedies
everyone seems to live
the good life
and be happy
my body
doesn’t know whether
to stay with them
enticed by
rhythm, wine
love, games
passion
worms of spite
hidden hatred
claws of boredom
deceiving deception,
the dead
and my body wants
to stay with them
the eagle in my chest
wants to fly to you

high above the seagulls

they color the sky
white against intense blue
they proclaim freedom
far far away
My beloved
your presence
pierces me
through my chest
I go with you
my beloved
I leave them behind.

Translation of ‘Me Alejo’ by Ariana Dubov