THE CAGE
It’s sunny outside.
It’s no more than a sun
but the men watch it
and then sing.
I don’t know the sun.
I know the melody of an angel
and the last wind’s
warm sermon.
I know how to wail until dawn,
when death poses naked
in my shadow.
I weep beneath my name.
I wave handkerchiefs in the night
and ships thirsty for reality
dance with me.
I conceal nails
to mock my sick dreams.
It’s sunny outside.
I dress myself in ashes.
Alejandra Pizarnik
Translation by Lydia Merriman Herrick