“Litany of dread” from the book ‘The Disobedient Gaze’

Litany of dread

I’m frightened and I shouldn’t be
I know the ladder to the heavens
The clouds the birds are strung along by
The laughter of butterflies

I’m frightened and I shouldn’t be
I understand the light, its discourse
But it’s cold it’s night
And everything is thick, erect, everything cuts

I’m frightened I’m two or no one
Always beside you alone
I’m frightened of these hands
These arms this back

This voice at the end of the line
Pure lava in the stomach of ocean

They’ve taught me to think in infinities
They’ve revealed the arpeggios of silence
But I’m frightened of me my enemy
My self sown into my skin
My daily companion

Like a dead tongue
Like a sparse shadow
Like an Our Father

I’m frightened and it’s day already

From ‘Life in sips’ book LA MIRADA DESOBEDIENTE
Editorial Devenir, Madrid 2013.
Traslated by Jonathan Boulting