The Dead Man

Francisco Borja

Steady your wavering steps, and relax the reins a bit...
Damn you, Sabas, don't be such a fool.
Don't be such a brute, Sabas, nor too good.
                          Nicolds Guillén (Cuba)
                         translated by L. C. Kaplan

            THE DEAD MAN
         He was never seen in life

        In lonely suddenness,
        his wrath mounted
        to the last floor of blood

        No one saw him there.

        Abruptly
        the lift along
        his most delicate artery broke
        and plunged his body
        into the cellar of death

        There he was seen by all.
                        Francisco Borja (Ecuador)
                         translated by Lloyd Mallan