The Dead Man

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