Juana de Ibarbourou


Rebel

Charon: I will bring scandal to your boat.
While other shades plead, moan,
beneath your sinister, patriarchal stare;
the timid ones will pray -- not a sound.

But I will go like a lark singing by the river,
wearing my savage scent to your boat.
I will radiate through river-murk
my blue lantern piercing the water.

Though you want to forbid me, though you
fix me with half-closed eyes, masters in this terror,
Charon, I will be a scandal in your boat.

And when I’m shadow -- -- exhausted
from courage and cold -- --
when you want to leave me on the other shore,
then lower me, your conquered vandal, in your arms.

 

 

 

Translated by Patricia Brody