Jose Craveirinha HOME

Poem of a Future Citizen

I have come from all the parts
of a Nation yet to be.
I have come and here I am!
I wasn’t born as myself alone
neither were you nor anyone else . . .
but as a Brother.
But
I have love to give to the clench-handed.
Love being what I am
and nothing else.
And
I have in my heart
screams which are not only mine
because I come from a Country yet to be.
Ah! being what I am
I have Love to give to all.
I!
Every man
a citizen of a Nation yet to be.

De profundis

Long day, gloom of clouds.
In the branches, bitter little birds
Whimper chirps. An Armful
Of multicolored flowers
Perfumed
De profundis
The Funeral Wreaths.

So hard
And terse
our rose goodbye, Maria.

Civilization

In ancient times
(before the time of Jesus)
men erected temples and stadiums
and died in the arena like dogs.
Now . . .
they’re making Cadillacs as well