Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Antero de Quental

DESPONDENCY

Let it go – the bird so cruelly
Despoiled of her young and nest. . .  
May the infinite air of loneliness
Waft where her broken wings took her.

Let it go – the boat tossed about
On choppy waves amid the blackness
When night rose out of the vast expanses
And gales arrived from the South. . .

Let it go – the soul that laments
The faith and peace and trust it lost –
To that ever still and silent death...

Let it go – the lingering note
Of a final song. . . and the last hope left. . .
And life. . . and love. . . Let life go!

Despondency

Despondency

Deixá-la ir, a ave, a quem roubaram
Ninho e filhos e tudo, sem piedade. . .
Que a leve o ar sem fim da soledade
Onde as asas partidas a levaram. . .

Deixá-la ir a vela, que arrojaram
Os tufões pelo mar, na escuridade,
Quando a noite surgiu da imensidade,
Quando os ventos do Sul se levantaram. . .

Deixá-la ir, a alma lastimosa,
Que perdeu fé e paz e confiança,
À morte queda, à morte silenciosa. . .

Deixá-la ir, a nota desprendida
Dum canto extremo. . . e a última esperança. . .
E a vida. . . e o amor. . . deixá-la ir, a vida!
Close

DESPONDENCY

Let it go – the bird so cruelly
Despoiled of her young and nest. . .  
May the infinite air of loneliness
Waft where her broken wings took her.

Let it go – the boat tossed about
On choppy waves amid the blackness
When night rose out of the vast expanses
And gales arrived from the South. . .

Let it go – the soul that laments
The faith and peace and trust it lost –
To that ever still and silent death...

Let it go – the lingering note
Of a final song. . . and the last hope left. . .
And life. . . and love. . . Let life go!

DESPONDENCY

Let it go – the bird so cruelly
Despoiled of her young and nest. . .  
May the infinite air of loneliness
Waft where her broken wings took her.

Let it go – the boat tossed about
On choppy waves amid the blackness
When night rose out of the vast expanses
And gales arrived from the South. . .

Let it go – the soul that laments
The faith and peace and trust it lost –
To that ever still and silent death...

Let it go – the lingering note
Of a final song. . . and the last hope left. . .
And life. . . and love. . . Let life go!
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère