The Rose Endures

I am the rooster of the red vane
which shows the North because North I am.
To my  people, I sweep the same village:
a bad wind with which to the river I go.
The arrow from the East when it revolves
gives  return to the people, to the lily and to the escort
of the horse on which I mount at the being of the day
to know on leaving where I am.
I have planted a star in the West
that will descend at night.  I give it to you
so that you mount toward the East every evening.
I would love you, more fickle I am.
The rooster was of the red vane
that to the South points so to the South I leave.
In its cold my poetry will moderate:
the rose endures that has opened today.

Copyright 2004 by Delfina Acosta.  Translation by Ron Hudson.

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La Rosa Dura

El gallo soy de la veleta roja
que mira al Norte porque Norte soy.
A mi pueblo lo barre el mismo pueblo:
un viento malo con que al río voy.
La saeta del Este cuando gira
da vuelta al pueblo, al lirio y al convoy
del caballo al que subo al ser el día
para saber al irme en dónde estoy.
He plantado una estrella en el Oeste
que bajará a la noche. Te la doy
porque subes al Este cada tarde.
Yo te amaría, mas veleta soy.
El gallo fui de la veleta roja
que al Sur apunta pues al Sur me voy.
En su frío se templa mi poesía:
la rosa dura que ha de abrirse hoy.

Copyright 2004 by Delfina Acosta.