Golden Plataeus
In Gabon
by the banks of the river Ogooue
they made a mask
and who wears it
pretends to be
the moon and the sun
during the dance
for eyes, they put a she-dove
for eyelids, they put the dove complains
for the mouth, they put Bolivar’s name
a hole with burning coal
and tears
and holy bones of martyrs
are its beard
and the river Ogooue is its comb and its love
now our boat floats softly on the river
the trees wave to us from the banks
and I hold the mask
on my chest
I recite the prayers of Bithynia
I put my hand softly in the warm water
by the mouth of the river
sharks stare at us with slanting eyes
and swim away
flattery doesn’t suit the sharks
flying fish
fly around us
at our command
palm trees
in their regular shape
sometimes like fans
other times like Paraskevas’ parasol
during the dance
my bird
is my bird
and I always
love you,
Euthalia Athanasia Thamar Calliope
Libros Libertad 