The Cage
Alejandra Pizarnik

Outside there’s sun.

It’s nothing more than a sun

but the men watch it

and then they sing.

 

I don’t know about the sun.

I know about the angel’s melody

and the hot sermon

of the last wind

I cry until dawn

when death settles naked

in my shadow.

 

I cry beneath my name.

I wave handkerchiefs at night

and thirsty boats

dance with me.

I hide nails

to mock my sick dreams.

 

Outside there’s sun.

I was dressed in ashes.

 

Translated from the Spanish by Jason Stumpf