Water

Water is a widespread secret,
known only to the pure—
those who before the birth pangs
are born in glances, or
as though by chance, taking shape
in a chronic dream.

The pure have not yet been born
on our dark shores.
They have not yet played in the sand or
tired of standing perplexed
on the riverbank.

The river is a lost land.
It won’t return to the mountaintops
without passing through the sea’s womb.
It won’t avail the river to search
the cracks of the earth for
its orphaned family.

—Translated by Vivian Eden